Father Hovhannes to bring crosstones and bells of Dadivank monastery to Armenia
Abbot of Dadivank Monastry of Artsakh, Father Hovhannes plans to bring the numerous Armenian khachkars (crosstones) and the church bells to Armenia. In an interview with Sputnik Armenia, the spiritual leader of Karvachar region has said: "We handed Dadivank by own hands to them and came. There were many things we could bring from Dadivank - the church property, the crosstones will be moved to Armenia tomorrow to prevent the Turks to vandalize them. But the most important is the church we are unable to move."
In his words, when Karvachar was liberated, they discovered the old Armenian monastery in desperate condition which had served as a cattle. "We cleaned it, reconsecrated and today simply gift it to Turks. Where is the justice here? If we stay silent, the stones will voice," said Father Hovhannes.
According to the armistice agreement signed on November 9, the Armenian forces will withdraw from Karvachar region.
To note, Dadivank is an Armenian monastery in Artsakh. It was built between the 9th and 13th centuries. The monastery was founded by St. Dadi, a disciple of Thaddeus the Apostle who spread Christianity in Eastern Armenia during the first century AD. However, The monastery was first mentioned in the 9th century. In July, 2007, the grave of St. Dadi was discovered under the holy altar of the main church. The princes of Upper Khachen are also buried at Dadivank, under the church's gavit.