Hovhannes was arrested, interrogated and later killed by Ibrahim Khalil khan Javanshir, second ruler of Karabakh for his pro-Russian stance in 1786, along with his five brothers.
[7] He left for Gandzasar later, his brother however, was replaced by Israel of Amaras as Catholicos, supported by Melik Shahnazar of Varanda and Ibrahim Khalil Khan.
[9] However, his brothers Jalal-bek and Daniel-bek were caught and later executed by Ibrahim Khalil, during their secret visit to Gandzasar to receive monastic utensils.
[10] However, according to Hasan-Jalalyan's own letter to Russian commander-in-chief in Caucasus Yermolov (written in 1823) he left for Georgia in 1796 when Zubov's army arrived.
[7] Travelling from there to Echmiadzin, at the request of George XII of Georgia[5] he was appointed as bishop and head of Haghpat monastery by Luke I (1780–1799), who also barred him from using Catholicos title.
[12] He was anathemized by Yeprem I (1809–1830) in December 1815 and Russian authorities forced Sargis to drop his title and be a metropolitan bishop instead.
After Shusha was retaken by Valerian Madatov, he was accused of treason against the state by Yermolov, who even called him 'Mullah Sargis' mockingly.