Aravot.am asked the parish priest of Gyumri Fr. Grigor Mkrtchyan how many pilgrims have come to Gyumri. Still 3-4 months ago, more than 3000 pilgrims had expressed willingness to come to Gyumri and take part in the papal liturgy served in Vardanants Square in Gyumri.
“We cannot tell the exact number, specifically, the number of our guests has exceeded the 1000 but we should note that we cannot even accommodate our guests in Gyumri hotels. You can knock at the door to any hotel, there is no room, all are already full. This means that we had not expected so many people to come to Armenia. I know groups that have come from the US and Israel, and they have come on their own initiative to participate in the Divine Liturgy. They have not contacted us, people’s flow is huge, and we have a fear whether so many people can find a room in the Vardanants Square.
Welcome ceremony of Pope Francis at ‘Zvartnots’ international airport, Yerevan, Armenia 24 June 2016
By approximate calculations, the Square can fit 30 thousand people, we had calculated that many, and we were thinking that there would be 25 thousand people, it will be fun but it is much more. People are even offended that we cannot provide invitations. Truly, we have appeared in a difficult situation, we do not know how we are going to fit so many people,” said Father Grigor perplexed.
Welcome ceremony of Pope Francis at ‘Zvartnots’ international airport, Yerevan, Armenia 24 June 2016
Nune AREVSHATYAN
