Azerbaijanis Have Prohibited a Previously Agreed Priestly Ordination at Dadivank

The head of the information system of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Father Vahram Melikyan, has addressed the circulated information that Azerbaijani soldiers blocked pilgrims from entering Dadivank on April 25. In an interview with Armenpress, Father Vahram confirmed the information, condemning Azerbaijan's reprehensible behavior.

“It has been reported that Azerbaijani soldiers did not allow pilgrims to visit Dadivank on April 25. Does this information correspond to reality?”

“Yes, your information corresponds to reality. On April 25, representatives of the Azerbaijani armed forces, under the pretext of a pandemic, prohibited Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, the leader of the Artsakh Diocese, and a group of pilgrims from entering Dadivank. I should note that a priestly ordination of a monk living in the monastery had been scheduled for that day, and it had been announced in advance, as well as coordinated with the Russian peacekeepers' command.”

“Thus, despite all the necessary prior arrangements, we could not approach the monastery. Moreover, the number of the group of pilgrims that had been granted permission, which was originally 25, was reduced to ten. After the ban, even the regular food supplies for the monks were not authorized to be delivered.”

“It is evident that, in this way, the Azerbaijani side aimed to thwart the priestly ordination, which took place that evening at the Gandzasar Monastery.”

“How do you comment on Azerbaijan's such behavior, which, in fact, violates the agreements reached with the mediation of Russia regarding pilgrims' visits to Dadivank?”

“Azerbaijan's reprehensible behavior is condemned, as it creates artificial barriers for the spiritual mission of this historical Armenian monastery and its community, violating the agreements reached through Russian authorities regarding its vital activity. Azerbaijan’s policy constitutes a gross violation of human rights and is yet another expression of hatred towards Armenians, an incursion into Armenian holy sites and the spiritual life of the Armenian people.”