The first court hearing in the case involving His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, concluded only minutes after it began on Friday after the presiding judge recused himself from the proceedings. The closed-door hearing was initially convened with Judge Hakob Manukyan presiding over the case. Hundreds of supporters gather outside the courtroomA new hearing will be scheduled after another judge is appointed, he added. At the opening of the hearing, Judge Manukyan announced that the proceedings would be closed to the public at this stage because they involved matters relating to personal privacy. Also present at the hearing was the sole recognized victim in the case, Arman Saroyan, formerly Bishop Gevorg Saroyan.