There is progress in the process of changing the leader of the Artsakh Diocese: Metakse Hakobyan

Aysor.am reports that the actions of Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, head of the Artsakh Diocese, have caused widespread public outrage among the people of Artsakh. About a month ago, Artsakh residents submitted a letter to His Holiness the Catholicos, requesting that the issue of changing the diocesan leader be addressed.

To remind, Archbishop Vrtanes, along with other high-ranking clergy, met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and signed a statement calling for the removal of Archbishop Arshak from the Mother See. Following this, he allegedly continued actions perceived as directed against His Holiness the Catholicos.

In an interview with Aysor.am, Artsakh parliament member Metakse Hakobyan stated that there has been progress in the process, while emphasizing that the matter is sensitive and should not acquire political connotations.

“Yes, this is indeed the will of our people. The public has long raised this demand and is asking how the issue will be resolved and whether progress has been made. We want the Mother See to relieve Bishop Vrtanes of his leadership, but the regulations must be designed in a way that does not contradict the rules of the Mother See. The Artsakh Diocesan Council already has proposals regarding these regulations, and we have prepared a letter with clear proposals outlining how we envision this process, which has no political context at all.

It is natural that a deputy be appointed, given that we currently do not have another celibate candidate from Artsakh. That is why discussions are underway on how the deputy should be appointed and who should be selected, so that, God forbid, we do not find ourselves in a similar situation again,” Metakse Hakobyan said.

It is also noted that, in addition to public organizations in Artsakh, almost all high-ranking Artsakh officials have spoken out against the actions of Bishop Vrtanes.