Azerbaijan has been barring Armenian clergy from entering Dadivank for three months now. Even entry into the monastery complex grounds is prohibited.
In a conversation with NEWS.am, the monastery’s spiritual servant, Father Nerses Abbot Harutyunyan, said that Azerbaijan’s justifications are unfounded: “There are always different justifications that do not really correspond to reality. Epidemic, damaged road. Now they simply say no, and that’s it.”
Dadivank is the designated place of permanent service for six Armenian clergymen. Despite the living conditions inside the monastery, the Armenian clergy continued their service, but since May they have had no access to the monastery.
“Dadivank is in different conditions than any other monastery of the Armenian Apostolic Church; there are living-condition problems there. When, due to health or living conditions, one or two of us try to leave the monastery to fix these issues, that is where the problem arises. There is a ban on both leaving and entering. A deliberate situation is being created so that there will be no Armenian clergyman there,” said Father Nerses Abbot Harutyunyan.
Dadivank has also been deprived of its pilgrims. Since May, Azerbaijan has barred their entry as well, again without justification.
Now the clergy of Dadivank are in Gandzasar. The Russian side is 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 and for us to return to Dadivank,” said Father Nerses Abbot Harutyunyan.
