On The (Unofficial) Campaign Trail: St. Vardanants

This being the official pre-election campaign period it’s probably no surprise to discover that it’s impossible to escape campaigning for the presidential election to be held in less than three weeks time. Technically, the appearance of the prime minister, Serge Sargsyan, at the celebration of St. Vardanants today had nothing to do with the election, but of course in reality it did.

And because, also technically, the procession down Khanjian Street in central Yerevan was not political, it was almost certainly a sanctioned march. Even if it disrupted traffic the presence of Yerevan’s mayor, Yervan Zakarian, doubtless made the delays experienced by drivers worthwhile although it’s unlikely that anybody bothered to ask them if they minded first. E-Channel has more.

On January 31, in relation with the St. Vardanants feast, the Araratyan Patriarchal Diocese and the Yerevan administration organized a crusade from St. Zoravor church to the Vardan Mamikonyan monument.

This crusade is a traditional one. Since the last year, the event is being conducted with the youth wing of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA.) This year, the Yerevan city administration was among the organizers, too. However, the main characteristic feature of the St. Vardanants feast crusade was prime minister, presidential candidate Serzh Sargsyan’s participation.

The presidential candidate had arrived to St. Zoravor church 10 minutes prior to the crusade and was waiting for the start with the gathered people. Among the attendees were numerous students wearing the jackets of ULNP – United Liberal National Party – supporting the nomination of Serzh Sargsyan.

There were lots of women, students, schoolchildren that approached Serzh Sargsyan, asking to have a picture with him. The candidate did not turn anyone down.

Navasard Archbishop Kchoyan, the Araratyan diocese vicar, arrived, and the crusade started. In the first line were the priests taking the cross, a rider on a white horse symbolizing Vardan Mamikonyan, and military people. During the whole crusade, the brass band of the RA Police Forces was playing a march.

Prior to the procession arriving at the statue of Vardan Mamikonian near the Vernisage, municipal workers hastily cleared ice and snow from the area where Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan was to later speak although why anybody bothered is debatable. Throughout his speech virtually all of the media in attendance were only interested in Sargsyan. Raising concerns with the involvement of the Church in politics, Kchoyan used the opportunity to sing the presidential favorite’s praise.

A media moment made in Heaven, perhaps.

“We are happy that the hero of the latest battle Serzh Sargsyan came on the pilgrimage from St. Zoravor to the Vardan Mamikonyan monument.” The priest finished his speech by the appeal of presidential candidate Serzh Sargsyan Go ahead, Armenia!

While responding to the E.channel question, Navasard Archbishop Kchoyan said that “The only hero among the attendees that has participated in the on-going course of the war was Serzh Sargsyan. If there were other absolute heroes I would mention their names as well.”

“The prime minister is the son of our nation and one of the heroes of Artsakh battle, and we are very glad that he participated in our feast,” the Archbishop said, emphasizing that Serzh Sargsyan had participated in numerous pilgrimages with them.

In addition to Zakarian, also present accompanying Sargsyan were the head of the Central Bank, Tigran Sargsyan (no relation), and the prime minister’s new adviser, MIAK’s Levon Martirossian. There were also two dozen students from the United Liberal National Party (MIAK) replete in red and white jackets adorned with Serge Sargsyan’s name. MIAK have stirred up some controversy in recent weeks by supporting Sargsyan’s candidacy.

Interestingly, MIAK is believed to be the brainchild of UK-based Armen Sargsyan (no relation) who served for a short time as prime minister under another presidential candidate, former head of state Levon Ter-Petrossian. Recently, Sargsyan has been rumored to have been lobbying for the prime minister’s presidential bid in Western circles, and RFE/RL today reported that the former official and ambassador to the UK was in Yerevan. Sargsyan met with the outgoing president, Robert Kocharian.

Photos © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2008