Armenian church leader’s supporters, opposers rally in Echmiadzin Video

Large crowds of worshippers gathered on Ddecemebr 18 in Echmiadzin, the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church, to express support for Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II amid an internal church dispute.

Believers assembled outside the Cathedral of Echmiadzin ahead of the scheduled evening service, chanting “Catholicos” and “Garegin II” as they awaited the arrival of the Church’s spiritual leader. Church bells rang as Garegin II, accompanied by clergy, entered the cathedral, where a service was held, followed by a collective prayer for church unity and for the release of detained clergy, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

At the same time, a group of bishops opposing Garegin II, along with supporters of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, staged a separate protest. Demonstrators shouted slogans calling for the Catholicos to step down, using his secular name, Ktrich Nersisyan, a practice regarded as disrespectful under church canon law.

Observers noted that chants from supporters of Garegin II significantly outnumbered and drowned out those of his opponents. 

By Sabina Mammadli