Interview with Melanya Balayan, Head of the Office of the Diocese of Artsakh

— As is known, the activities of the Diocese of Artsakh of the Armenian Apostolic Church continue in the Republic of Armenia. Could you elaborate a little?

— In September 2023, as a result of the criminal and genocidal policy carried out by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, the Armenians of Artsakh were forced to abandon their ancestral homeland. In the history of our people, this is an unprecedented and tragic page, when an entire nation, having lived on its land for millennia, withstanding and overcoming numerous and varied calamities, in the so-called civilized 21st century, becomes the victim of forced deportation—deprived of its sacred sites, churches, homes, cemeteries, and cultural heritage, all of which had been created and preserved through the steadfast labor, struggle, and sacrifice of countless generations. What has taken place is an evident genocide, with all its defining characteristics. One would think such events are incompatible with the value system of modern human civilization, yet this is the painful and cruel reality for all of us. In fact, we have been stripped of our sanctities, created and preserved through the toil and blood of our ancestors over many generations—something that can be described in one word: genocide.

As a result, today we are confronted with serious challenges to our national existence, which compel us not only to avoid succumbing to despair, but, by summoning all our strength, to once again stand firm against and overcome these new challenges—striving to achieve the restoration of that objective justice enshrined in the international laws and regulations conceived for the defense of universal human civilization.

— By what means are you attempting to achieve the restoration of justice?

— To achieve this, we must remain faithful to a single idea: through national unity, we must be worthy of our homeland. It is to this sacred purpose that the Armenian Apostolic Church, and particularly the Diocese of Artsakh, is dedicated today. It is therefore by no means accidental that, under the direct care of His Holiness the Catholicos of All Armenians, the Diocese of Artsakh continues its mission in this part of our Homeland—the Republic of Armenia.

— And what is the principal purpose of the Diocese of Artsakh operating in Armenia?

— The primary aim of the Diocese of Artsakh’s activity is to preserve the spiritual identity of Artsakh, to pass on to future generations the values by which the Armenians of Artsakh have lived and endured. This is not only a spiritual mission but also a form of national resistance—we not only refuse to be broken, but we also seek to find renewed strength within ourselves to overcome this greatest of tragedies, preserving the historical memory, dignity, and pillars of faith of our people.

— We know that the Diocese of Artsakh has an office in Yerevan. Could you please tell us about the reasons for establishing this office and its main purpose?

— The mission and activities of the Diocese of Artsakh, as we have mentioned, have become more complex and multifaceted in the current circumstances. On the one hand, there is the task of preserving the spiritual and ideological unity of the Armenians of Artsakh; on the other, there is the need to carry out educational, cultural, and advocacy functions in a more coordinated and effective manner. It was with these goals in mind that, as of June 1, 2024, the permanent office of the Diocese of Artsakh was established at 53/B Aygedzor Street, Yerevan, on a lease basis. The well-known public figure Yuri Navoyan and the “DIALOGUE” organization he leads have undertaken the principal mission not only of founding this office but also of planning and ensuring the proper implementation of its activities.

With the aim of carrying out the office’s work more purposefully and effectively, an appropriate team of specialists was formed. Since June 1, 2024, the office has been working primarily in the directions we have set and planned in advance. Among them, I can highlight the spiritual and educational initiatives, efforts toward the documentation and preservation of historical and cultural heritage, publishing activities, and related fields.

Gradually, the Diocese of Artsakh and its office have deepened and given practical form to their cooperation with community, youth, and educational-cultural organizations of the Armenians of Artsakh. The activation of this work was also facilitated by the fact that the management of Ardshinbank provided the Diocese of Artsakh with a hall located at 59/G Baghramyan Avenue, Yerevan. In the given period, the office of the Diocese has hosted meetings with representatives of various institutions, discussing the issues of the rights of Artsakh Armenians, the preservation of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh, possibilities for cooperation on these matters, and other related topics. Meetings and discussions have also been held with Artsakh Armenians who have found refuge in various regions of Armenia.

More systematic work has been carried out in the field of documenting, studying, and preserving historical and cultural heritage.

— What initiatives has the Diocese’s office implemented in this regard?

— I consider it important to emphasize that the office of the Diocese of Artsakh, in collaboration with the “DIALOGUE” organization headed by Yuri Navoyan, has initiated and begun the creation and publication of a book series dedicated to the Diocese of Artsakh. The first volume of the series—a trilingual photo album titled Artsakh: Endangered Heritage—has already been published, as well as a map of The Monuments of the Material Culture of Artsakh. The first illustrated booklet of the series, The Monasteries of Artsakh: Amaras Monastery, prepared in English, will be published in the coming months of 2025. Another illustrated book, The Residences of the Catholicosate of Aghvank (275–280 pages), has been prepared for publication in Armenian and Russian. Work is also underway to translate it into English and publish it in that language as well.

A photographic exhibition titled Artsakh: Endangered Heritage has been prepared in cooperation with the “DIALOGUE” organization, the Research on Armenian Architecture NGO, “Monument Watch,” and the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies. It is also worth mentioning the production of a trilingual documentary film bearing the same title. Various other programs are also in progress, all aimed at presenting, with maximum objectivity and factual accuracy, the historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh—its true essence, the circumstances and periods of its creation—and underscoring the importance and urgency of preserving it as part of humanity’s common heritage. Here too, I wish to express my gratitude to Yuri Navoyan for his direct support and his willingness to sponsor all of these efforts.

Alongside his support for the work of the Diocese’s office, in recent times Mr. Navoyan has also made commendable efforts not only to keep the name of Artsakh alive and active in various reputable forums but also to create real opportunities for the talented youth of Artsakh. After the great tragedy experienced by the Armenians of Artsakh—of which these young people themselves were also victims—he has sought to help them overcome psychological and social challenges and to fully engage in cultural life, applying their knowledge and abilities to the preservation and development of Armenian culture. We would like such noteworthy and inspiring initiatives to serve as an example for all Armenian figures who have the means and resources, along with the sincere desire, to contribute to the preservation of our national heritage. After all, we should remember that in the pages of our history, an honorable place has always been reserved for those individuals who, through their work, dedication, or resources, have stood at the origins of the noble cause of faithfully safeguarding, preserving, and advancing Armenian national culture.

Interview conducted by Zohrap Erqoyan

Source: www.aravot.am