Adrebedjan is making further efforts to eliminate Armenian monuments in Artsakh. The malicious intent of the country has been evident in the removal of the clock from the Kanach Church of Shushi in Artsakh, which used to display the time for St. Hovhannes Mkrtich Church.

Extensive photos, published on the website “Genocide Monitoring,” reveal that the church is no longer standing.

“The absence of the church clock indicates that it was demolished in February 2024. This action by Azerbaijan highlights the deliberate destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in areas inhabited by Armenians,” stated the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy on their website.

Armine Tigranyan, an Armenian historian and the author of the documentary “Bnorran,” expresses, “The clock of the Kanach Church of Shushi has been completely destroyed. Azerbaijan not only burned the church but also looted St. Khoren Church and St. Michael Church. They even attempted to claim it as a ‘restored right’ for the Christians residing in Azerbaijan, and now…they have removed its clock.”

This goes beyond genocide; it is an act of erasure. They are wiping away our rights, our heritage, our prayers…” Tigranyan stated.

The St. Hovhannes Mkrtich Church, also known as Kanach Church, is situated in Shushi and stands prominently on a hill, easily visible throughout the city.

“The church and cathedral were constructed in 1847 as the central complex. The cathedral entrance features two holy vestibules adorned with crosses on the right and left sides. The inscription reads: ‘Built by St. Hovhannes/Mkrtichian/(in) Shushi city/citizen Baron Hovhannes and II/ Babayan Stepanian/Yovanets/Jhn”, in memory of Reverend Mikrtich, 1847,” states a historical record about the church on the monumentwatch.org website.

The church was named “Kanach Time” due to its green color during that period, as mentioned in a historical document about the church on the same website.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am