STEPANAKERT. – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)—or Artsakh—President Bako Sahakyan on Monday released a condolences message to the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, in connection with the passing of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.

“We have learned with deep sorrow, in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the news of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian’s death. This is a great loss for the Armenian people, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the entire Christian world.

His Beatitude Archbishop Manoogian had a huge contribution to strengthening the Armenian Apostolic Church, consolidating the Christian faith as well as developing interchurch relations.

He also had a valuable input in preserving the Armenian national identity, maintaining the Motherland-Diaspora ties, promoting international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and truthfully representing the Artsakh issue.

Please, accept my deep and sincere condolences. In this difficult hour, the people and authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic share with you the pain and sorrow in connection with this irretrievable loss,” the NKR President’s message runs.