Vanetsyan urges people to gather at Zvartnots Airport to welcome Catholicos Karekin II

Homeland Party leader Artur Vanetsyan, a former NSS director, urges fellow Armenians to gather at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport tonight to welcome Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II amid the Armenian leadership’s attacks on the church and its top clergy.

“Dear compatriots, the current authorities continue attacks on our national values, unity, faith and church,” he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

“I’s sure you are aware that those in power recognize no red lines. Their actions are immoral and sacrilegious. In pursuit of their goals, they face no constraints in their choice of methods and they never will, unless met with clear resistance.

"Dear compatriots, tonight at 1 a.m., His Holiness will return to Yerevan. Let's gather at Zvartnots Airport to welcome the Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians. The church should know that we, the faithful people, stand by its side. And let the enemies of the church take notice. I am confident that well-organized resistance will force Armenia’s authorities and their patrons to back down from another disgraceful initiative,” Vanetsyan said.

He urged the people to gather near the VIP lounge of Zvartnots Airport at midnight to welcome the Armenian church leader.