PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: +374-10-517163
Fax: +374-10-517301
E-Mail: [email protected]
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April 16, 2009
Reinstatement of Rev. Fr. Khoren Hovhannisyan
On Palm Sunday, April 5, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, gave his permission and blessings for Rev. Fr.
Khoren Hovhannisyan to be reinstated as a clergyman of the Armenian Church.
Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Ararat
Kaltakjian, Grant Sacristan of the Mother Cathedral, re-conferred the cowl
on Fr. Khoren.
Rev. Fr. Khoren Hovhannisyan (baptismal name Nshan) was defrocked by
pontifical directive on August 7, 2002, for willfully deserting his
spiritual service. His Holiness Karekin II, taking into consideration Nshan
Hovhannisyan’s petition of repentance and regret, granted his request and
directed him to serve a one-year period of penance at the monastery of
Geghard.
Upon Nshan Hovnhannisyan’s completion of his one-year penitential service,
His Holiness gave his permission and restored Fr. Khoren to his position as
a monk and celibate priest. His Holiness has appointed Fr. Khoren to be the
next Manager of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta
(Kolkata) and parish priest of the Armenian community of India.