Tavush diocese priest Taron Hunanyan defrocked

On November 6, Priest Taron Hunanyan of the Tavush Diocese was defrocked by decree of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The decision was based on the report of the acting head of the Tavush Diocese and the conclusion of the Committee for Ecclesial Awards and Disciplinary Issues at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which determined that he:

• abandoned his place of service without authorization since May 2024,
• disregarded the instructions and orders of the acting diocesan head and continued to violate church discipline,
• participated in an uncanonical rite organized by Stepan Asatryan, who had previously been defrocked, thereby becoming his accomplice,
• through his public speeches and statements discredited the Armenian Apostolic Church and his fellow clergy,
• displayed disrespectful behavior toward the Supreme Church authority and violated his vow of obedience.

From now on, the defrocked clergyman will be considered a layman under the name Vardan Hunanyan.