With repeated attacks, the authorities of Azerbaijan have committed sacrilege against one of our holy places in Artsakh. They planted a cross on the gravesite of one of our martyrs in the sanctuary of St. Astvatsatsin of Stepanakert’s Surb Astvatsatsin Church. The Armenian Church of Artsakh has announced this incident.

“This is an unimaginable act for us and we could not have anticipated such a regression. They have never before dared to insult the sanctity of our holy places, the spiritual-cultural treasures. In cases of suitable auspices, they have even shown respect to the invisible presence of divine power within themselves,” the Armenian Church’s statement read.

For us, this has greater significance considering our current unstable situation. We cannot respond or prevent such violent manifestations in any other way apart from verbal expressions. All of this is vitally important for our Armenian identity, for each and every Armenian, especially for those responsible for the nation’s spiritual well-being within our government.

We hope that corresponding actions and necessary steps will be taken by the bodies responsible for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. This includes both ancient and new holy sites and the protection of cultural heritage. If we do not understand our own true value, no one else will either. They will not respect us.

“Azerbaijan continues its policy of destroying its occupational political regime by imposing vandalism against the monasteries, churches, khachkars, roofs, and buildings of Artsakh,” the statement says.

News from Armenia.