The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has strongly condemned statements by Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev during his recent visit to the Armenian monasteries of Gandzasar and Dadivank in occupied Artsakh, accusing him of denying their Armenian identity and falsely presenting them as “Caucasian Albanian.”
In a statement, the Mother See described the effort as an “open falsification” of history and an attack on the historical memory and spiritual heritage of the Armenian people.
It said Azerbaijan’s attempts to distort historical facts for political purposes are part of a broader state policy of anti-Armenian hostility and appropriation of Armenian cultural heritage.
The Mother See also criticized the participation of foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations in the Azerbaijani-organized visit, warning that their involvement risks lending legitimacy to efforts to appropriate Armenian historical heritage.
It called on those representatives to condemn attempts to distort the identity of Armenian holy sites and attacks on Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
The Armenian Apostolic Church said it has repeatedly warned that, following the forced depopulation of Artsakh, Azerbaijani authorities have pursued a policy of appropriating Armenian monuments, destroying churches, khachkars and cemeteries, and removing evidence of their Armenian identity.
The Mother See called on Armenian authorities to take practical steps to prevent further destruction and urged friendly states and international organizations to help protect Artsakh’s ancient Armenian Christian heritage.
“Lasting peace in the region requires respect for the faith, historical memory and fundamental rights of peoples,” the statement said.
The Mother See’s full statement can be read on its official page.
