10:14, 19 November 2020

Armenian pilgrims say farewell to monastery in Karvachar District

Armenian pilgrims say farewell to the Dadivank monastery. November 18, 2020. Photo by Armine Martirosyan for the "Caucasian Knot"

Believers are gathering at the Dadivank Monastery located in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh that passes under Azerbaijan's control. Pilgrims fear that they will no longer be able to visit the monastery. The Abbot and the brethren decided not to leave Dadivank.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that after the Azerbaijani-Armenian truce, the Armenian population of the Karvachar (the Azerbaijani name is Kelbadjar) District began leaving for Armenia en masse, after burning down their houses. They also dig up their relatives' remains, fearing that the graves might be desecrated. On November 13, Russian peacemakers entered the Karvachar District.

Ter Ovannes, the Monastery Abbot has decided not to leave it. He has emphasized that the cultural monuments in this territory, including the Dadivank Monastery of the 9th century, evidence that land was inhabited by Armenians long ago. According to the Abbot, he fears desecration of Christian shrines after the transfer of this territory to Azerbaijan.

The parties in conflict exchange accusations of vandalism and the intention to liquidate the traces of the stay of Armenians or Azerbaijanis in the disputed territory. In particular, in Armenia, they announced the appearance of graffiti on the walls of the cathedral in Shushi after the capture of the city by Azerbaijani troops. In its turn, Baku accuses the Armenian party of desecrating Muslim cemeteries and mosques.

Diana Martirosyan, a believer, hopes that she is visiting the monastery not for the last time. She has noted that the monastery is controlled by Russian peacemakers stationed nearby.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 18, 2020 at 06:07 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent