Hundreds of persons have gathered in the courtyard of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

They have come there to express their support for the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II.

As reported earlier, the ten bishops and archbishops, who support Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in his confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church, on Wednesday issued a statement calling on people to join them at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on Thursday at 5pm to demand the resignation of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II.

Subsequently, the Diocese of Aragatsotn, whose primate is among the detained high-ranking clergymen, issued a statement on relocating its planned joint prayer service from the Byurakan village church to the Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral. The joint prayer service in support of the detained clergymen will begin today at 5pm, simultaneously with the gathering of those demanding the Catholicos’ resignation.

Members of virtually all opposition political forces in Armenia have announced their participation in the aforesaid joint prayer service.

And a short while ago, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that he will not attend the gathering called the ten bishops and archbishops, but added that he supports them.

Large police forces have been brought to Vagharshapat—better known as Ejmiatsin—city since the morning. And the motorway leading to the city was congested after noon due to police vehicles.