Do you think that these steps could make His Holiness reconsider his positions? His Holiness is unwavering – Gevorg Danielyan

The Investigative Committee has initiated proceedings against the Armenian Apostolic Church, pressuring it to recognize treasonous Arman Saroyan as head of the Masyatsotn Diocese.

Lawyer Ruben Melikyan referred to the Committee’s report, noting that, in essence, criminal prosecution is being directed against His Holiness the Patriarch and members of the Supreme Spiritual Council. 

Gevorg Danielyan, Doctor of Law, Professor, and member of the Supreme Spiritual Council, told Aysor.am that these actions have no basis in legal reasoning.

He emphasized that all countermeasures must be pursued through legal and constitutional channels. As Danielyan noted, His Holiness is unwavering.

“Do you think these steps could somehow lead His Holiness to reconsider his positions? I am sure they will not. All of this is illegal and has no connection to reality. Let them try, regardless of what I say,” Professor Danielyan added.

On January 27, the Supreme Spiritual Council held a meeting at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, chaired by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. During the meeting, the Council presented a proposal for the Catholicos to depose Bishop Gevorg Saroyan. 

Following this, the Mother See issued a statement confirming that, by pontifical decree, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan had been deposed. 

Gevorg Saroyan, who has joined a campaign against the Church, has filed a lawsuit demanding that the January 10 pontifical decree by Catholicos Karekin II – which dismissed him as Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese – be annulled and that he be reinstated. 

By Patriarchal decree, His Holiness Karekin II relieved Bishop Gevorg Saroyan of his duties as Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn. The decree cited abuse of office, failure to fulfill duties, and the use of coercion and pressure against the diocesan clergy as the grounds for dismissal.

Simultaneously, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan was appointed Vicar of the Diocese of Masyatsotn by the Patriarchal decree.