Sadly, I Will Be Neither the First Nor the Last: Father Aram on His Disciplinary Action

Stepan Asatryan (formerly Father Aram Asatryan) commented on the news regarding his disciplinary action, stating: "Dear faithful sisters and brothers, I invite you all to St. John Monastery on Sunday to participate in the Holy and Eternal Divine Liturgy. I will celebrate the Divine Liturgy as your Father Aram the priest."

"Sadly, I will be neither the first nor the last. In a well-known recording, the former archbishop’s assistant concludes his remarks in a dialogue with the head of the Disciplinary Committee with this important statement, which is more relevant today than ever, and unfortunately, I will not be the last. This morning, I submitted a letter to the Disciplinary Committee expressing my willingness to meet with them (for the past month, I had requested to be informed of the purpose of meeting with the Committee), and after receiving my letter, the well-known 'management' decision was published.

I wish they would respond with the same speed regarding why the Committee has not reacted for at least two years to the controversial disciplinary actions of the Catholicos. Now we have what we have.

Dear faithful children of the communities of Ohanavan and Ushi, and thousands of Christians, we will conduct our initiative in favor of the triumph of truth in a just manner and will confirm its success. God is with us, and the liberating truth will soon, very soon, become known," said Stepan Asatryan.

It is noteworthy that by the decision of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Father Aram Asatryan has been declared defrocked. The defrocked cleric will now be classified among the laity under the name of Stepan Asatryan.