Twenty-five bishops and archbishops that attended it voiced support for Karekin II and condemned Armenia’s authorities for their “unfounded prosecution” of him and a dozen other senior clergymen. The accusations leveled against Karekin II stem from his January 27 decision to defrock a bishop involved in Pashinyan’s controversial campaign to oust the Catholicos. They will stand trial with Karekin II. Karekin II will also become the first Catholicos not to address the inaugural session of the Armenian parliament. Speaking ahead of the elections, Karekin II made clear that he will not resign even if he is arrested by the authorities.