Situation at Etchmiadzin calms after tensions over Armenian church leadership

The situation at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church, returned to calm on the evening of December 18 after tensions surrounding rival gatherings. 

Supporters of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, as well as groups reported to be aligned with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, left the grounds of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Police forces that had been deployed in large numbers in the area also withdrew shortly afterward, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

Earlier, ten pro-Pashinyan bishops and archbishops issued a statement calling on the public to gather at the Mother See on December 18 at 5:00 p.m. local time to demand the resignation of Catholicos Garegin II.

In parallel, the Diocese of Aragatsotn, whose primate is among the detained senior clergymen,  announced the relocation of a planned joint prayer service from the church in Byurakan village to the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.

The prayer service, held in support of the detained clergymen, began at 5:00 p.m., coinciding with the gathering calling for the Catholicos’ resignation.

Given the simultaneous events, large police forces were deployed around the cathedral complex to maintain order. No immediate reports of serious incidents were confirmed as the situation later stabilised.

By Sabina Mammadli