The Armenian Church condemned the destruction of cultural heritage in Stepanakert

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin issued an official statement sharply condemning the destruction of Armenian temples and monuments in Stepanakert by Azerbaijani authorities. Representatives of the clergy called on the Armenian leadership and the world community to take immediate action to prevent the destruction of the spiritual heritage of the region.

According to Sputnik Armenia news agency, the temple of Surb Hakob (St. Jacob), as well as adjacent khachkars were demolished. The Azerbaijani side qualified these objects as “illegal structures” subject to compulsory dismantling. In addition, the Church strongly protested against the destruction of the Cathedral of the Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary, the main vicarial church of the Artsakh Diocese in Stepanakert, the destruction of which is confirmed by satellite images.

The Armenian Apostolic Church emphasized that such actions carried out at the state level are a manifestation of purposeful Armenian-phobic policy. According to Echmiadzin, the acts of vandalism call into question any declarations of striving for peace in the region. The Church appealed to the Prime Minister and international organizations interested in preserving cultural diversity to intervene in the situation.

Despite the clergy’s appeals, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan earlier noted that the government does not intend to bring the issue of the temples’ destruction to the international level yet. At the moment, the Armenian authorities are focused on gathering and clarifying full information about what is happening in Stepanakert.