For Over 2 Months, Azerbaijan Has Effectively Closed the Entrance to Dadivank, Restricting Clergy Rotation

In Dadivank, located in Artsakh under Azerbaijani control, there have been alarming reports regarding the movement and service of clergy from the Armenian Apostolic Church. Despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers, Azerbaijan is obstructing the entry of Armenian clergymen into the monastery complex and the visits of pilgrims. Aravot.am spoke with Father Athanas Abeg Sarkisian, who serves in Dadivank.

- Your Grace Father Athanas, could you please inform us how accurate the aforementioned statements are? How long has it been and why is the entry of Armenian clergymen and citizens into Dadivank being obstructed?

- The last time Armenian pilgrims were allowed to enter the Dadivank monastery complex was on May 2. Since that day, the Azerbaijani side has not given believers the opportunity to enter the monastery complex and participate in Holy Masses. Pilgrims spend only a few hours in Dadivank, participate in the Holy Mass, receive communion, and then return. This means that the presence of pilgrims at the monastery throughout the week is only 3-4 hours. As usual, in the first half of the week, the data of pilgrims visiting the monastery on Sunday is sent to the Russian peacekeepers; however, by the end of the week, sometimes even on Sunday morning, it becomes clear that the Azerbaijani side does not allow entry into the monastery. The Russian side is working daily to make entry into the monastery possible.

- Are our clergy allowed to enter Dadivank for the purpose of rotation?

- Until May 2, rotating clergymen entered the monastery with the pilgrims on Sundays. Currently, even the rotation of clergymen has become difficult, sometimes impossible. In recent months, with the efforts of the Russian side, it has been possible to organize the rotation of clergy once or twice. Currently, the Russian side is in negotiations to allow clergy to rotate. For over two months, the Azerbaijani side has effectively closed the entrance to Dadivank, as well as severely restricted the rotation of clergy. In the past months, the Russian side has been in intensive negotiations with the Azerbaijani side to allow both pilgrims and clergy to enter the monastery complex. Initially, the Azerbaijanis stated that they prohibited entry due to the pandemic, then they claimed that the river had flooded, making the road impassable, and recently they have not provided any further justification. Despite the pandemic and the road being damaged, there have been numerous visits to Dadivank and unrestricted movements by them. No reason or justification has been provided by the Azerbaijani side regarding the ban on entering the monastery.