Primate of Artsakh Diocese: Last Artsakh resident who crossed Hakari Bridge should already be thinking about returning

The last Artsakh resident who crossed the Hakari Bridge should already be thinking about returning, the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, told Alpha News.

“The driving force behind our value system and our identity is Artsakh. We must certainly return. The last Artsakh resident who crossed the Hakari Bridge should already be thinking about his return. We must sow seeds in fertile soil to maintain our solidarity and way of thinking. If this is removed, this mission will not be realized. Every Artsakh resident cherishes this mission, and if they are disappointed, it will be a painful loss for us.

We are afraid that Artsakh residents may leave Armenia, and this is very dangerous. We must do everything possible to unite so that people return to Artsakh, because we do not have the right to leave our sacred homeland, which we have preserved and where we have lived for thousands of years. This is what our hearts want. We must be united with the idea that brings a victorious return to Artsakh,” Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan said.

It should also be noted that the Artsakh diocese will continue to function in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. According to His Holiness, the functions of the Artsakh diocese will change, but what kind of changes there will be is not yet clear.

Our forcibly displaced compatriots who settled in Armenia will be able to receive spiritual service in the dioceses located in the areas of their residence.

“Our functions will also be outside this sphere; we will try to talk more about the cultural values that remain in Artsakh. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin will make decisions and provide additional information,” the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese said.