Lawyer decries obstruction of Christmas liturgy in Talin

Armenian lawyer Ara Zohrabyan has sharply criticized local authorities and police for preventing a priest of the Armenian Apostolic Church from celebrating a Christmas liturgy at a church in the town of Talin, calling the incident unlawful and damaging to national unity.

In a social media post, Zohrabyan said employees of the Aragatsotn regional administration and the Talin municipality, with the backing of police officers, obstructed Father Hayk from conducting the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Mother of God Church on January 6.

“Before everyone’s eyes, under the patronage of the authorities, a crime was committed as the activity of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the performance of a sacred rite were obstructed,” Zohrabyan wrote.

He argued that a service conducted by a defrocked former priest “cannot be considered a liturgy in spiritual terms” and warned that participation in such a ceremony could carry serious religious consequences. According to Zohrabyan, under church canon law, the act “defiles the Holy Altar”, necessitating a formal rite of re-consecration. He added that the incident could also constitute a criminal offense under Armenia’s Criminal Code.

“These actions against the church will ultimately bring misfortune upon our long-suffering nation,” Zohrabyan said, urging Armenians not to remain indifferent. “The responsibility to protect our sacred places rests with the people, and neutrality in such cases amounts to aiding those who act in bad faith.”

Zohrabyan praised the efforts of “dignified Christians” who oppose what he sees as a government-backed attempt to divide the church and undermine Armenia’s national identity.

"I congratulate all Christians on the Holy Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is born and revealed," he added.