What is happening in Artsakh is a deliberate policy to eliminate all visible traces of the Armenian presence. Hovik Avanesov

Artsakh cultural heritage ombudsman, vice president of “Azkayin” historical and cultural NGO Hovik Avanesovi Facebook post

What is happening in Artsakh can no longer be presented as a series of isolated incidents or uncontrollable “vandalism”. this is a policy clearly aimed at eliminating all visible traces of the Armenian presence. The destruction of Stepanakert’s Mother Church of St. John the Baptist is another, but not accidental episode of that plan.

The destruction of the temple on the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide once again openly shows the genocidal policy of Azerbaijan and its true face.

We are talking about a structure whose existence and importance are undeniable. It was founded on July 19, 2006 by the Catholicos of All Armenians Karegin II, consecrated on April 7, 2019 by the Catholicos of All Armenians Karegin II, and in a short time became one of the important centers of the spiritual life of Stepanakert. The church designed by architect Gagik Yeranosyan emphasized its importance with its dimensions and structure: 35 meters high, bell tower – 24 meters, complex internal structure. In other words, we are not talking about a forgotten or secondary object, but a consciously targeted shrine.

What is even more worrying is the fact that before the destruction, calls to demolish the church were openly spread on Azerbaijani social networks. This means that what happened was not only predictable, but also prepared on the public stage. When such calls remain unpunished and turn into action, it already indicates a problem not of individual groups, but of a system where hatred becomes a tool.

The same logic also worked In the case of St. Hakob Church of Stepanakertwhose destruction information were published days ago. When such cases are repeated in a short period of time, it is no longer possible to talk about coincidence. this is a consistent line aimed at erasing cultural memory.

The most tragic thing is that not only the stones and walls are destroyed, but the memory, faith, community life accumulated in them. And if the international community continues to limit itself to mere records, then this process will deepen, turning into cultural destruction permitted by silence.

The fate of this Stepanakert church is not just the story of one monument. it is an attempt to reformulate reality by erasing the past. And such attempts, if they do not receive adequate opposition, are usually repeated.

Photographs of the design and construction stages of Stepanakert’s Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God Hovan, from the archives of Artsakh’s cultural heritage ombudsman office.