ERINCLAK, DIOCESE OF. — It is the principal district of the Siunikh province in Greater Armenia. In Erinclak there were numerous monasteries and hermitages, the most famous of which were the monasteries of St. George, of Abrguni, and of St. John the Baptist (Karapet). In the 11th century, Erinclak is first mentioned as a bishopric, though not legally established, as is evident from the protest of Catholicos SERGIO I (692-1029). It is unknown when the see and diocese were officially instituted.
After the mid-14th century, the Dominican Order, known as the "Fratelli peregrinanti" or "Unitori," was established in Erinclak. With the approval of the Holy See, they had Erinclak diocese as their missionary center; from 1440 to 1750, an archbishop elected by the Chapter of the Order’s province, with the participation of popular delegates, resided there.