It was national treason, an encroachment on our faith, nothing else. Armenia’s third president, Serzh Sargsyan, told this to reporters Friday—and in response to a reporter’s question about how he would characterize what had occurred Thursday at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Two separate rallies—in support of and against the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II—were held Thursday on the grounds of the Mother See.

The bishops and archbishops who have sworn loyalty to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that they had submitted a letter to the Holy Etchmiadzin secretariat demanding the resignation of Karekin II.

Meanwhile, those had gathered at the Mother See in support of the Catholicos were chanting, “His Holiness,” addressing Karekin II.