Enthronement of Catholicos Gevorg VI, 1945

Etchmiadzin, 1945. The election of the Catholicos of All Armenians: Gevorg VI kneels in prayer in Etchmiadzin Cathedral during the enthronement service.

Gevorg VI (secular name Gevorg Chorekchyan; 2 December 1868, Nor Nakhijevan – 26 September 1954, Etchmiadzin) was Catholicos of All Armenians from 16 June 1945 until his death. During the First World War he helped Armenian refugees; in 1917 he was ordained bishop, and in 1921–1927 he headed the Armenian diocese of Georgia. During the Great Patriotic War he distinguished himself by founding the tank units “David of Sasun” and “General Bagramyan”.

The photograph shows the kneeling Catholicos surrounded by bishops in mitres, one of whom is reading from a book.