Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II cast his vote at polling station 14/11 in Etchmiadzin, saying he voted for Armenia’s well-being and security.

“We made our choice with prayer and with God, asking that God keep the Armenian state steadfast, bless our people in overcoming the difficult trials present in our lives, and help us build a strong, secure, safe, and prosperous country,” the Catholicos said in remarks to journalists, according to Sputnik Armenia.

The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church was accompanied to the polling station by Mother See Chancellor Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Primate of the Gugark Diocese Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Primate of the Artik Diocese Bishop Narek Avagyan, and other clergy members.

Parliamentary elections are being held in Armenia.

A total of 18 political forces — 16 parties and two alliances — are participating in the elections. A total of 2,485,851 citizens are eligible to vote.