Dispute erupts in parliament over Catholicos’ name

A dispute broke out in the National Assembly between ruling and opposition lawmakers over the Armenian Apostolic Church and Karekin II.

Civil Contract faction MP Sona Ghazaryan, responding to opposition claims that there is a religious difference between the parliamentary majority and the opposition, said she is a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church, that her daughters were baptized at St. Sargis Church and that she herself was married in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Ghazaryan said that, according to her faith, the Catholicos could not have violated his vow of celibacy, asking opposition lawmakers whether, according to their religion, the Catholicos could have a child, 1lurer.am reported.

“So, if you cite the example of Gregory the Illuminator, you are confirming that Ktrich Nersisyan has a child and that this is acceptable to you,” the MP said. Opposition lawmakers then began pounding their desks in protest at Sona Ghazaryan referring to Karekin II by his baptismal name.

Kristine Vardanyan, an MP from the Hayastan faction, then took the floor. When she referred to Karekin II as His Holiness and Catholicos of All Armenians, Civil Contract lawmakers began pounding their desks, while opposition MPs applauded.

National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan urged opposition lawmakers not to interrupt speakers in that manner, warning that otherwise they would receive a similar response.

Parliament continued discussing the candidacy of Arusyak Julhakyan, during which Hayk Konjoryan addressed the opposition’s earlier reactions.

Addressing opposition colleagues, particularly those from Strong Armenia, he said he could now mention one person’s full name and cause them to become agitated.

“Can you now avoid thinking about that full name? The name you do not want to hear? You cannot stop thinking about it, because there is a very well-known thing in psychology that says: can you avoid picturing a white bear right now? It is impossible for a person not to picture a white bear at that very moment. So can you avoid picturing the full name that gets you so agitated? All the headlines are about it. Journalists got plenty of material today by filming your behavior from the press gallery.

“Are you doing that person a favor or harming him by turning his baptismal name into the main headlines on Armenia’s media agenda? Moreover, this story is nothing new. I am sure many people know about it,” the National Assembly deputy speaker said.