What is Happening Around the Head of the Artsakh Diocese Who Met with Nikol Pashinyan

Nikol Pashinyan's demand for the removal of His Holiness Karekin II has also been supported by the head of the Artsakh Diocese, His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan. The Armenian community in Artsakh became aware of this on November 27, when a video was released showing high-ranking clerics, including bishops and archbishops, who had spoken out against the Catholicos, meeting with Nikol Pashinyan. The 'Zhoghovurd' newspaper reported on this.

Bishop Vrtanes attended this meeting. His position has not only caused dissatisfaction among the Armenians of Artsakh but has also reportedly sparked unrest even within the walls of his own household, among relatives. Sources indicate that, following this incident, the bishop's sisters have severed ties with their brother. One of the bishop's sisters lost her son during the 44-day war.

This stance by the head of the Artsakh Diocese has resulted in significant outrage and anger among the Armenian community in Artsakh. They note that the Diocese leader was not present in Artsakh during the blockade, yet the people turned a blind eye to this, respecting the fact that Bishop Vrtanes is their spiritual leader. However, after this meeting, they feel they can no longer overlook it.

It has been reported that the Diocesan Council of Artsakh issued a statement the day after the meeting, indicating that they were unaware of the meeting and do not share Bishop Vrtanes' views. In the meantime, many from the Artsakh authorities have sought to meet with the bishop to understand the reasons behind his decision. It is known that Bishop Vrtanes has met with Artsakh's fifth president, Samvel Shahramanyan, former foreign minister Karen Mirzoyan, and several members of the Diocesan Council, but he did not reveal the actual reasons to them.

There are also internal discussions suggesting that Bishop Vrtanes received a house as a gift from the Armenian Ministry of Defense and may have sided with Nikol Pashinyan to avoid losing it.