[1] In 1439, the national clergy summoned Gregory IX, newly elected, to appear at Echmiadzin (now called Vagharshapat); it suspected that because of his Uniate leanings and friendliness towards Rome that he preferred to stay in Sis and declined the invitation.
[2] The national synod of 700 bishops, clerics, and Armenian nobility met again in Echmiadzin in May of 1441 and elected Kyrakos of Virap as the new Catholics.
[2][4] It is a riddle of history on what basis the election of a new Catholicos took place in Vagharshapat.
It is unknown if Gregory was invited to return to Echmiadzin and refused or if he suggested that a new Catholicos be elected there.
Some authorities in the 18th century suggested that this was the case and that the Catholicos said, "I will remain here and die and after my death the See of Sis will cease to exist of its own accord."