Nerses Bakur

Attested in The History of the Country of Albania, he was mentioned as a bishop of Gardman during the tenure of his predecessor Eghiazar. Reportedly he was elected after the influence and intervention of Queen Spram, wife of Varaz-Tiridates I.^[1]

A long proponent of Chalcedonian Christianity, the clique wanted to achieve political and religious independence of Albania through alliance with Byzantine Empire.^[2][3] However, he didn't proclaim it openly until 702.^[1] As part of reforms, he appointed his Chalcedonian ally Zakʿaria as bishop of Greater Arran bishopric (Old Armenian: Մեծ Առանք, romanized: Mec Aṙankʿ), succeeding previous Miaphysite bishop Yovēl. He also dismissed Israel (now bishop of Greater Kolmank) and Eghiazar – bishop of Gardman, Nerses' former seat. Rival clique was led by Sheroy – regent of Albania, as well as Yovhannēs (bishop of Qabala), Sahak (bishop of Amaras).^[1][4]

Nerses' reforms in church alarmed Elias I (703–717), the Armenian Catholicos to intervene and apply to Caliph Abd-al-Malik.^[5] Elias accused Nerses and Spram of swearing alliance to Byzantines and plotting against the Umayyad Caliphate.^[6]Nerses and Spram were caught by Sheroy exiled to Damascus where he died.^[7] His books were pillaged from his summer residence in Berdakor and was thrown into Tartar river.^[8]He was succeeded by Simeon who was installed by Elias. After Nerses' death, Caucasian Albanian Church became a subject of Armenian Apostolic Church.