Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin regretfully states that the barbaric actions implemented by Azerbaijan against the Armenian cultural heritage did not stop during the Second War of Artsakh and in the post-war period.

 

Today, in the conditions of relative peace, Armenian sanctuaries continue to be targeted with a view to erasing the traces of Armenian identity on our historical land of Artsakh.

 

On the territories under the control of Azerbaijan, sanctuaries have already been destroyed, monasteries and churches have been desecrated, inscriptions confirming their historical belonging have been removed, khachkars and ancestral tombs have been profaned.

 

Attempts are being made to assimiliate about 150 Armenian sanctuaries in those areas by distorting and falsifying history, to present the world as a religious heritage of the Udis.

 

A few days ago, we learned on the fact of removing the dome and abolishing the religious symbols of the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of the Holy Savior in Shushi, under the guise of restoration works.

 

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin condemns the cultural genocide perpetrated by the Azerbaijani authorities, which is an undisguised expression of Armenian hatred, intolerance and hostility. Contrary to the claims and excuses, this policy cannot in any way contribute to the restoration of stability and peace in the region.

 

The Armenian Apostolic Holy Church will continue to raise these issues with the relevant structures of the international community to stop these phenomena that violate the rights of the Armenian people.