Azerbaijan Has Banned Armenian Clergy from Entering Dadivank for Three Months

Azerbaijan has been prohibiting Armenian clergy from entering Dadivank for three months now. Even access to the monastery complex itself is forbidden.

Father Nerses Abbot Harutyunyan, the spiritual caretaker of Dadivank, told NEWS.am that Azerbaijan's justifications are unfounded. He stated, 'There are always various justifications that do not correspond to reality. Pandemic, damaged roads... now they simply say no, and that's it.'

Dadivank is the permanent place of service for six appointed Armenian clergy. Despite the everyday issues present in the monastery, the Armenian clergy have continued their service, but since May, they have not had access to the monastery. 'Dadivank is in a different situation compared to any other monastery of the Armenian Apostolic Church; there are daily issues. When anyone of us attempts to leave the monastery to resolve these issues due to health or daily living conditions, this is where the problem arises. There is a ban on both exiting and entering. A deliberate situation is being created so that there are no Armenian clergy there,' Father Nerses Abbot Harutyunyan said.

Dadivank has also been deprived of its pilgrims; since May, their entrance has also been banned by Azerbaijan, again without justification. Currently, the clergy of Dadivank are in Gandzasar. The Russian side is engaged in negotiations so that the clergy can enter the monastery.

'We are waiting every moment for the Russian peacekeepers to reach an agreement with the Azerbaijanis so that we can return to Dadivank,' said Father Nerses Abbot Harutyunyan.

It is worth noting that Dadivank is one of the oldest Christian monasteries of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is located in the Karvachar region, which came under Azerbaijani control following the announcement of November 9 of last year. For security purposes, one of the Russian peacekeeping force’s observation posts is located near the monastery.