Police Have Taken Control of Hovhannes Monastery Church

Police have gathered in the vicinity of the Hovhannes Monastery church. Aysor.am has requested clarification from the police regarding the reasons for their increased presence at the church.

According to the police, it is merely a measure for maintaining public order.

It is noteworthy that just days ago, Stepanyan Asatryan, the former priest of Hovhannes Monastery, had been summoned to the police regarding complaints against the priestly brothers. He attempted to disrupt the service of the newly appointed spiritual leader, Father Manuk Zeynalyan.

Recall that on October 21, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, declared Father Aram Asatryan to be defrocked. The defrocked cleric will henceforth be classified among the laypeople, under the name of Stepanyan Asatryan.

He is required to cease his activities at Hovhannes Monastery, but Stepanyan Asatryan has decided to conduct a service there this Sunday.

This move by Asatryan has invigorated the supporters of the ruling party, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announcing that he will participate in the service conducted by Asatryan this coming Sunday.