Azerbaijanis Have Even Changed the Name of Etchmiadzin: Arman Tatoyan

The Azerbaijani government has intensified its hostility towards the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, branding it as a fifth column, a promoter of revanchism and war, which must be fought against, wrote former Human Rights Defender of Armenia and co-founder of the Tatoyan Foundation, Arman Tatoyan.

“Particularly targeted are the Armenian Catholicoses and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, large monastic complexes and churches such as Noravank, Haghartsin, and Geghard. They have even changed the name of Etchmiadzin. All of this is widely presented as Azerbaijani, more specifically as Albanian or Udi monuments. This applies to churches built and functioning in both Armenia and Artsakh, as well as those that are not operational,” Tatoyan stated.

“Ruined or partially destroyed Armenian churches are represented as Azerbaijani cultural monuments allegedly destroyed by Armenians. This is directly aimed at erasing ethnic Armenian identity. All of this is framed within the false narrative of 'Western Azerbaijan', which refers to all of Armenia. This false narrative also stipulates that Armenia must 'restore and protect Azerbaijani cultural heritage as a condition for reconciliation.' Under the guise of this ostensibly humanitarian demand intended for the outside world, the Azerbaijani authorities are actually pursuing entirely different goals,” he continued.

“From this position, Azerbaijan regularly engages in aggressive rhetoric, attempting to discredit Armenian churches and accusing Armenia of 'usurping' Albanian or Udi churches. The Azerbaijani government is making efforts not only to stoke religious enmity against Armenians domestically but also to incite it abroad. The President of Azerbaijan has called on the Muslim world to take revenge on Armenians and Armenia, falsely accusing our people of Islamophobia. This call is, in fact, an aggressive assault by Azerbaijan on the entire Christian community,” Tatoyan wrote. “In reality, Armenians have lived as friends with many peoples of the Islamic world for centuries. All of this is documented in our special reports and presented to the international community.”