His Holiness Karekin II Issues Pontifical Order
12.01.2004
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, issued a Pontifical Order whereby Rev. Fr. Ararat Hovsepian from the Armenian Diocese of Iraq, has been defrocked. From this time forward, he shall be called by his baptismal name of Norayr Hovsepian, and be recognized as a member of the laity. The order issued on January 9, is based upon information and petitions provided by the Primate and the National Central Committee of the Diocese, that the priest has exhibited demeanor and conduct unbecoming of a clergyman.
