Kim Kardashian and husband Kanye West visited a centuries-old Armenian church in Occupied Jerusalem on Monday for the baptism of their daughter, 22-month-old North West.
The Kardashians fended off swooning fans as they entered the Saint James Cathedral in Occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. Kardashian, appearing overwhelmed, clutched the tiny girl as she was escorted by West, her sister Khloe and hooded clergymen
“Stop,” Kim Kardashian shouted to the crowd. “Stop! It’s not safe for the baby,” her sister added.
Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, an Armenian church official, said the family had arrived for a baptism ceremony.
“Kim Kardashian’s daughter will be baptised and become a Christian officially and a member of the Armenian church,” Shirvanian said, slightly perplexed by all the commotion. “All I know is that she’s a famous personality. I don’t know her in person. In any case she is welcome with her family.”
There were no details on the ceremony, and the family left the church, adecorated with blue and white tiles made by Armenian artists in the 18th century, without speaking to reporters.
The members of reality TV’s first family arrived in a private jet at Israel’s international airport on Monday for what was described as a private two-day visit.
All were captured on camera disembarking their plane and the images featured prominently on Israeli websites. They were quickly whisked away in a dark black SUV to a hotel in Occupied Jerusalem. Paparazzi did their best to keep up with their movements.
The celebrities arrived from a high-profile visit to Armenia, where the Kardashian family traces its roots. Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan praised the couple’s contribution to “international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian genocide”.
Muslim Turkey accepts many Christian Armenians died in partisan fighting beginning in 1915, but it denies that up to 1.5 million were killed and that it amounted to genocide.
An assistant to Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West says the couple paid an early morning visit to a Crusader-era church marking the traditional spot of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
Sharon Schaveet, an Israeli producer who helped organise the visit, said the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was empty during their 5am visit local time on Tuesday. A photo on Kardashian’s Instagram account showed the couple kneeling together at the church.
It was their last stop before leaving for Paris. Kardashian’s sister Khloe has returned to the US.
On Monday night, the couple dined at an occupied Jerusalem restaurant with the mayor.
Reality TV’s first family made the two-day visit to the Holy Land after visiting Armenia.
