Father Vahram Melikyan, head of the information system of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, has addressed the circulating information that Azerbaijani military personnel on 25 April blocked pilgrims’ access to Dadivank Monastery. In an interview with Armenpress, Father Vahram Melikyan confirmed the information, condemning Azerbaijan’s unacceptable stance.
– Information has circulated that on 25 April Azerbaijani military personnel did not allow pilgrims to visit Dadivank. Does the circulated information correspond to reality?
Yes, your information corresponds to reality. On 25 April, representatives of Azerbaijan’s armed forces, under the pretext of the pandemic, blocked the entry to Dadivank of the Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, and a group of pilgrims. I should note that on that day a priestly ordination of a resident monk of the monastery was planned, about which notice had been given in advance, and it had been coordinated with the command of the Russian peacekeepers.
Thus, contrary to all the necessary preliminary arrangements that had been made, it was not possible to approach the monastery. Moreover, the number of the group of 25 pilgrims who had received permission was reduced to ten. And after the ban, even the regularly supplied food for the monks was not allowed to be delivered.
It is evident that in this way the Azerbaijani side sought to thwart the priestly ordination, which was organised the same evening at Gandzasar Monastery.
– How do you interpret such behaviour by Azerbaijan, which, in fact, violates the agreements reached through Russia’s mediation regarding pilgrim visits to Dadivank?
Azerbaijan’s unacceptable stance is condemnable, as it creates artificial obstacles to the spiritual mission of the Armenian historical monastery and its brotherhood, and violates the agreements reached through the mediation of the Russian authorities concerning the latter’s functioning.
Azerbaijan’s policy constitutes a gross violation of human rights and is yet another expression of Armenophobia, an encroachment upon Armenian holy sites and the spiritual life of the Armenian people.
