Armenian court rejects church bid to lift interim measure reinstating former cleric

A court in Armenia’s Armavir Province has rejected a motion by the Armenian Apostolic Church’s legal team to lift an interim measure reinstating former cleric Arman Saroyan to his post pending a final ruling, according to data available on the DataLex judicial portal.

The Court of First Instance, presided over by judge Edgar Hovhannisyan, on Thursday ruled that the interim measure, which obliges the church to ensure Saroyan’s continuation in office as head of the Masyatsotn Diocese until a final judgment is issued, will remain in force. The decision entered into force on Feb. 11 and is not subject to appeal.

Saroyan, formerly Bishop Gevorg of Masyatsotn, filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate a Jan. 10 decree by Catholicos Karekin II removing him from his position. He is asking the court to declare the decree null and void and to reinstate him as diocesan leader.

During arguments, church lawyer Ara Zohrabyan said the dispute should not be examined in civil court and that the interim measure lacked legal grounds and proportionality. He warned the ruling set a “dangerous historical precedent”, arguing that state authorities are prohibited from interfering in the church’s internal affairs.