What to expect this Sunday: Defrocked priest takes a stand against the Church

For the first time in history, a defrocked priest is going to celebrate a liturgy in the Armenian Apostolic Church. The former priest, Stepan Asatryan, has received the approval of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who announced that he will visit Hovhannavank on Sunday.

On Oct. 21, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announced the defrocking of Father Aram Asatryan, stating that he will henceforth be considered a layperson, known as Stepan Asatryan.