Senior Clergy Members Taking Counteractions Against Authorities

The newspaper "Hraparak" writes: "By observing certain signs, we can say that senior clergy members seem to have decided to step away from the Christian stance of 'if you get slapped, offer the other cheek,' and are undertaking some counteractions against the authorities.

Days after a fake mass at Hovhannavank and the church being seized by the defrocked priest Stepán Asatryan, a report about the crime has been filed regarding that incident. Moreover, just yesterday, the Mother See issued a strong statement.

According to our information, it took several days to persuade the Catholicos that some resistance needed to be shown and a report should be lodged regarding the fake mass at Hovhannavank. The report was submitted to the prosecutor's office by Ara Zahrabyan the day before. Ara Zahrabyan also filed another report before the Sunday 'mass' regarding the necessity to prevent obstacles to the conduct of religious ceremonies, as well as to avert the seizure of the temple. He also demanded the expulsion of Stepán Asatryan from Hovhannavank, which is intended exclusively for clergy.

Meanwhile, the Mother See announced yesterday that 'the actions carried out under the pretense of ceremonies at Hovhannavank are desecrations,' and that 'the church of Hovhannavank is subject to reconsecration.'"