In the Gavazanagirq (chronological list of Catholicoi) from Alwanq (Gandzasar) and in various chronicles, there are references to Catholicos Grigor Hasan-Jalalyan, who renounced Christianity in the 16th century. For a long time, this information remained a mystery. However, after the publication (in 1970) of the memorial records of the Gospel written by hieromonk Abraham, kept under number 33 in the library of the Amenaprkich Monastery of Nor Jugha, it became known that Catholicos Grigor was forcibly converted to Islam in 1574 by Safavid Shah Tahmasp I (1524–1576).

KeywordsArtsakh Gandzasar Grigor Hasan-Jalalyan Catholicos Gavazanagirq (chronological list of Catholicoi) Hishatakaran (memorial record) Safavid Iran Shah Tahmasp I forced conversion assimilation policy.