The targeting of the Armenian cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh and other churches as well is consistent with Azerbiajan’s erasure of its Christian past, and its ally Turkey’s contempt for its own Christian history. In Turkey, as well as all over the Middle East and in Central Asia, one principal manifestation of this contempt is the fact that there are mosques built on the former sites of Christian churches, and most notoriously, world-renowned churches that have been converted to mosques, such as Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Chora. All this is part of an ongoing attempt in both Azerbaijan and Turkey to efface all traces of the Christian presence, so as to give the impression that no Christians ever lived in a particular area from which they were been driven out, and no injustice was actually done.
This is one reason why it is so important for Christians and all people of good will to preserve historical memories of the Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian genocides of the early twentieth centuries, and all other incidents of the persecution of Christians throughout history.
Jihaddist-mercenaries brought by @presidentaz & @RTErdogan to conquer #Artsakh are doing exactly what they are supposed to do with #Armeinan cultural heritage.@UNESCO @Jos_Douma @NLMFAEurope @MFA_Lu @BuZaTweedekamer @nl_intrelations pic.twitter.com/3mwsH4hQ5S
— Tigran Balayan (@tbalayan) November 14, 2020
“Watch: Azerbaijani soldier screams ‘Allahu Akbar’ while standing atop a desecrated church in occupied territory in Armenia,” OpIndia, November 15, 2020:
Azerbaijan’s leadership had promised that they would protect the Armenian people of Karabakh, However, the recent desecration of churches has made it clear that the Baku administration is not interested in protecting these sites.
A video has emerged on social media platforms showing a suspected Azerbaijani soldier or Syrian mercenary screaming ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is Greater) while standing on the top of a chapel in Karabakh in Armenia. It is believed that the video was filmed recently. Others were heard repeating Allahu Akbar after him.
Armenian Church destroyed
Just a day before the said video was released, photos of a desecrated church in Armenia had appeared online. The Church was located in the strategic city of Shushi in the Karabakh region. Azerbaijan’s leadership had promised that they would protect the Armenian people of Karabakh. They also stated that they would preserve the culture and heritage of the community. However, the recent desecration of churches has made it clear that the Baku administration is not interested in protecting these sites.
As per the reports, a historic cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh’s city of Shusha was shelled by the Azerbaijani forces. AFP reported severe damage to the church. Ghazanchetsots (Holy Saviour) Cathedral, an iconic site for the Armenian Apostolic Church, had a gaping hole in the roof created due to shelling in October….
