Armenian authorities intend to seize Hovhannavank Monastery from Church

The Hovhannavank Monastery in Armenia. Photo: golosarmenii

On November 2, 2025, the publication "Golos Armenii" reported that the authorities of Armenia are considering filing a lawsuit against the Cadastre Committee, which, according to them, issued incorrect documents regarding the ownership of the Hovhanavank Monastery. Such a step, according to sources, would allow bypassing a direct legal dispute with the Holy Etchmiadzin and conducting a "legal expropriation" of the monastery from the Armenian Apostolic Church.

On the same day, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his associates visited Hovhanavank again to participate in the "liturgy" of the defrocked priest Stepan Asatryan. The Prime Minister of Armenia arrived with the Speaker of the Parliament but did not answer journalists' questions. According to media reports, local authorities from the ruling party ensured the presence of participants from various communities to support the event.

Etchmiadzin previously stated that it will seek to restore rights to the monastery by all legal means, emphasizing that Hovhanavank belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church by right of ownership.

The former Ombudsman of Armenia criticized the government's actions, stating that the Prime Minister's interference in Church affairs exceeds his authority and may be considered a violation of the law.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in the Vatican, the Pope discussed with Pashinyan the situation of Catholics in Armenia.

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