Thousands Gather at Holy Etchmiadzin as Church Faces Public Showdown Over Catholicos Karekin II

On December 18, thousands of people gathered at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia. The gathering followed a call by ten bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church who asked the public to join them and demand the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II. Thousands of police officers were deployed at the Mother See to maintain order.

Supporters of the Church and the ten bishops gathered in the courtyard of the Mother See. One side chanted the Catholicos’ name, sang church hymns, and clapped for him, while the other side demanded his resignation. Parts of the crowd shouted “Judah,” “Shame,” and “Turks” at the bishops who opposed Karekin II. During the gathering, the ten bishops were prevented from entering the Catholicos’ residence and left the Mother See under police escort. After the shouting, supporters of the bishops also left the church.

At the same time, worshippers inside the church waited for the Catholicos to begin a joint prayer. Catholicos Karekin II greeted the faithful during the service. His speech was accompanied by whistling and shouting from outside the churchyard. He said that existing problems must be resolved through canonical procedures and urged clergy to return to the canonical framework.

The gathering caused health emergencies. Father Vrtanes Baghalyan of St. Hovhannes Church in Byurakan felt unwell and was taken to the hospital. He suffered a heart attack. Journalist Ani Nerkararyan fainted, and reporter Ani Gevorgyan was hit during the events.

Crowd estimates showed approximately 2,200 people supporting Catholicos Karekin II and about 1,020 opposing him. Some slogans from the crowd included: “Artsakh was ours and it was given away. Now he’s giving Syunik. Now he’s invading the Church. What’s next?”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he does not direct the bishops’ actions, but welcomed and supported them. He considered the bishops’ invitation to the public legitimate. However, he said he had no plan to attend the gathering and saw no need to do so.

The bishops informed the crowd that a letter demanding the resignation of the Catholicos had been submitted to the Secretariat. Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan said their mission was complete for now and that they would return together to pray at the Mother Cathedral for the people, the nation, and the clergy.

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