Current Situation at the Mother See

At the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, both supporters of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and the 10 bishops demanding his resignation have gathered. The area is being monitored by a large number of police officers.

The situation at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin continues to remain tense. At 17:00, a joint prayer service is scheduled to be held here, which was originally intended to take place at the Saint Hovhannes Church in Byurakan.

Believers have gathered at the entrance of the Mother Cathedral and are waiting for Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. Accompanied by clergy, he is expected to participate in the prayer service. Chants of “Srbazan, Srbazan, Vehapar” (Holy One, Your Holiness) from the believers are being countered by calls of “Leave” from the opposing side.

Believers and bishops are chanting: supporters are calling out “Srbazan” and “Vehapar,” while those demanding the resignation are shouting “Leave.” Among the supporters of the Catholicos are a group of deputies from the “Armenia” (Hayastan) faction of the RA National Assembly, as well as Narek Karapetyan, the leader of the “Mer Dzvev” (In Our Way) movement.

A large number of police forces are concentrated in the territory of the Mother See to monitor the situation and prevent possible clashes. The Chief of the RA Police, Aram Ghazaryan, noted that, if necessary, the police will use force against individuals carrying out provocative actions.

In a conversation with journalists, the spiritual pastor of Saghmosavank, Father Paren Arakelyan, emphasized that the Supreme Patriarch will remain the Catholicos of All Armenians until the end of his life.

It should also be noted that today Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced his support for the actions of the 10 bishops, but ruled out possible clashes, stating that law enforcement agencies are prepared to keep the situation free of provocateurs.

“The Armenian Apostolic Church must be protected from Ktrich Nersisyan and the sectarian groups that have seized the Mother See,” the Prime Minister emphasized during a press conference held for journalists today.

It is worth noting that last week, during a liturgy at the “Yot Verk” (Seven Wounds) Church in Gyumri, one of the believers voiced the name of the Catholicos and was removed from the church by security forces. At the same time, a young man shouting “Ktrich Nersisyan” eluded the view of the law enforcement officers.