{"id":202739,"date":"2025-10-30T00:08:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T20:08:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abcmedia.am\/?p=202739"},"modified":"2025-10-30T10:19:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T06:19:56","slug":"controversy-over-defrocked-priests-wedding-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abcmedia.am\/en\/society\/202739\/","title":{"rendered":"Controversy over defrocked priest\u2019s wedding ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A defrocked priest, Stepan Asatryan, has once again conducted a wedding ceremony — this time at Hovhannavank Monastery. During the ceremony, locals prevented journalists from entering the church.<\/p>\n

What happens to couples whose marriage ceremony is performed by a defrocked priest?<\/p>\n

According to Father Sargis Sargsyan of the Aragatsotn Diocese, if the couple is unaware of the defrocking of a priest, their marriage remains valid. However, if they knowingly choose a defrocked priest to officiate, the situation is different.<\/p>\n