Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

We were saddened to learn that on the night of November 9-10, after the ceasefire agreement had been signed between the leaders of the Republic of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia to stop the military operations in Artsakh, the Azeris who entered the city of Shushi in Artsakh desecrated the Holy All-Savior Church of Ghazanchetsots, leaving their mark on the outer and inner walls of the church.

We strongly condemn what happened as an expression of obvious vandalism and intolerance. It must be impermissible for Azerbaijan, following the steps of its supporter Turkey, to continue its policy of cultural genocide, which has been pursued in various forms for decades in Azerbaijan and in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic that is a part of it.

At the same time, we call on the international community, as well as the inter-religious and ecumenical institutions to raise their voices and take appropriate steps to stop such barbarism against the religious and cultural monuments and shrines in Artsakh and manifestations of anti-Armenian dispositions by the Azerbaijani authorities.