Arman Saroyan cannot represent the Armenian Church from a canonical, legal, or moral standpoint – Mother See

By a decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia dated March 27, 2026, Arman Saroyan (former Bishop Gevorg) was appointed as a member of the “Consultative Commission for the Discussion of Indulgence Issues” as a representative of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

According to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, this appointment – made without the consent of the Armenian Apostolic Church – is unacceptable, unlawful, and in violation of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

“A representative of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in any state or other body may be appointed only with the blessing and authorization of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicos of All Armenians. Bishop Gevorg, having been defrocked, holds no authority and cannot represent the Armenian Church from a canonical, legal, or moral standpoint.

This step constitutes yet another encroachment on the autonomy of the Armenian Church and the canonical authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

It is imperative that the aforementioned inaccurate information be removed from the official document, namely the decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia,” the statement of the Mother See reads.