Bishop Gevorg Saroyan Dismissed from Post as Primate of Masyatsotn Diocese
YEREVAN, January 10, 2026. /Novosti-Armenia/. By a patriarchal order from His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, dated January 10, 2026, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan has been relieved of his duties as Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese. This information was reported by the Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
According to the statement, the decision was based on “the abuse of his position, negligence in his duties, and the exertion of coercion and pressure on the clergy of the diocese.”
In the same patriarchal order, Reverend Father Ruben Zargaryan was appointed as the Locum Tenens (acting Primate) of the Masyatsotn Diocese.
It is noteworthy that Bishop Gevorg Saroyan was among the 10 bishops who, along with Prime Minister Pashinyan, signed a declaration on the reformation of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Prime Minister Pashinyan Disagrees with the Decision
In a related development, Prime Minister Pashinyan has expressed his disagreement with the decision to dismiss the Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese. “I have already stated that Khrimian Nersisyan is not the Catholicos of All Armenians, and therefore, his decisions from that position are not valid for us and are null and void,” Pashinyan said on January 10, 2026, at 19:01.
Background on Recent Events in Armenia
This dismissal comes amidst a series of other significant events in Armenia. On January 10, 2026, at 14:40, an official from the Cadastre was accused of large-scale bribery in an operation involving the legalization of land and real estate with the participation of 6 individuals.
Furthermore, on January 9, 2026, at 20:26, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, announced that Armenian media outlets contributing to the spread of disinformation had been identified. Baghdasaryan stated, “We have also identified those Armenian media outlets that, in one way or another, contributed to the spread of disinformation.”
Weather conditions have also been notable, with snow falling in several regions of Armenia on January 9, 2026, at 16:33. Regions including Ashtarak, Aparan, Aragats, Hrazdan, Sevan, Gavar, Dilijan, Martuni, Talin, Ani, Artik, Ashotsk, and Amasia experienced snowfall, while Bagramyan region saw sleet.
Earlier, on January 9, 2026, at 15:47, David Ghazinyan, former acting CEO of the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), declared that the process of seizing ENA was political and not yet fully completed.
In a health-related development, Nestlé globally recalled certain infant formula products due to a potential risk of contamination with cerevilid toxin on January 9, 2026, at 13:33. Consumers were urged not to purchase NAN brand products from the specified batches if seen in the distribution network.
Also on January 9, 2026, at 13:28, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arsen Torosyan addressed the issue of pension increases, stating, “Frankly, I don’t understand, if the goal is to get a lot of money, what difference does it make how the pension is increased?”
Finally, seven important changes that came into force in Armenia on January 1, 2026, were presented on January 9, 2026, at 11:38, impacting various aspects of life in the country.
Source: newsarmenia.am
