Kim Kardashian and Kanye West 's attempt to keep public out of church blocked by Armenian bishop

US reality TV star Kim Kardashian (center) holds her toddler daughter North West as she walks beside her husband, rapper Kanye West (right), on the grounds of the Cathedral of Saint James in Jerusalem's Old City. (Photo: Reuters)

Celebrities Kim Kardashian and Kanye West did not receive star treatment when they visited a church in Armenia last week.

The couple tried to shut out the residents of Gyumri when they visited the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God, but the church bishop would have none of it.

The Wests, along with Kim's sister Khloé, daughter North, and cousins Kara and Kourtni, arrived in the Kardashians' home country last week.

The Irish Examiner reported that when the family entered the cathedral, their bodyguards attempted to close the church doors in an apparent attempt to keep out paparazzi and fans. Mikayel Adjapagian, the bishop in the small town 55 miles northwest of Yerevan, insisted that the doors be kept open, and the Kardashian-West family relented.

The stars are filming their hit reality series "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" while in Armenia, and cameras are following their every move. The next stop for the family was a home that was allegedly occupied by a Kardashian ancestor, but is now vacant.

The Kardashian visit draws attention to the upcoming centennial of the Armenian genocide that left 1.5 million citizens dead. The reality stars shared photos from their visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial complex, and laid flowers at the memorial's symbolic eternal flame.

"My sister and I are trying to bring awareness not only to our Armenian genocide but genocides and human slaughter, in general. Knowledge is power!" Khloé tweeted.

The celebs also met with Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, who praised the sisters' efforts to increase awareness of their home country's struggles.

"The premier hailed Kardashian family's contribution to the cause of international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian genocide, highlighting their visit's importance in the run-up to the genocide centennial," a statement from his office read.

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