Criminal proceedings initiated regarding obstruction of the powers of the primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn
On January 29, 2026, criminal proceedings were initiated at the Investigative Committee regarding obstacles directed at the exercise of powers by the Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan.
On January 16, 2026, the Civil Court of General Jurisdiction of the Armavir Province prohibited the religious organization “Armenian Apostolic Holy Church” and other persons from obstructing the Bishop’s activities in any way, including the management of financial resources and the execution of transactions.
A decision “on compelling the debtor to perform certain actions or forcing them to refrain from certain actions” was made, which was personally delivered to the Chancellery of the Mother See on January 19, 2026.
Meanwhile, by the decision of the Supreme Spiritual Council on January 27, 2026, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan was declared defrocked by a pontifical decree.
The criminal proceedings were initiated regarding cases where the relevant officials of the “Armenian Apostolic Holy Church,” utilizing their official powers, failed to comply with a judicial act that had entered into legal force and incited non-compliance.