Vardges Sureniants: the Catholicos and the tsar’s decree

A painting by the Armenian artist Vardges Sureniants shows the Catholicos at the moment he received the tsar’s decree confiscating the property of the Armenian Church (12 June 1903). The decree also banned Armenian theological seminaries and schools.

An elderly white-bearded clergyman in a long blue robe sits in an armchair. At his feet a sheet of paper lies on the carpet. Behind him are a window and green plants.