Artsakh agency reports destruction of Stepanakert church, condemns silence of Armenian authorities

(Horizon Media) – The Artsakh Cultural and Tourism Development Agency has reported that Azerbaijani authorities have destroyed the Holy Mother of God Church in Stepanakert, describing the act as part of a broader campaign targeting Armenian cultural and historical presence in Artsakh.

In a strongly worded statement, the agency said the demolition, reported on the eve of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, goes beyond the destruction of a single religious site, characterizing it as a continuation of policies aimed at erasing Armenian heritage. It warned that such actions reflect a deliberate effort to eliminate the cultural memory, spiritual identity, and historical footprint of Armenians in the region.

The agency criticized what it described as the “near-total silence” of the Armenian authorities, arguing that failure to respond publicly amounts to tacit acceptance. “When sacred sites are being destroyed, silence is no longer neutrality—it becomes acquiescence,” the statement said, calling on the government of Armenia to issue a clear political condemnation and take steps to raise the issue in international forums.

It also pointed to what it described as inadequate reaction from the international community and relevant cultural protection organizations, warning that continued inaction risks fostering a climate of impunity and enabling further destruction.

The agency emphasized that the eradication of cultural heritage is closely tied to the broader question of the right of return for displaced Armenians of Artsakh. According to the statement, the destruction of churches and monuments is intended not only to remove physical traces of Armenian presence but also to undermine the historical and moral basis for return.

The Holy Mother of God Church, constructed between 2000 and 2019, had become a central place of worship in Stepanakert and a symbol of the revival of religious life following decades of Soviet-era restrictions, when earlier churches in the city had been closed or repurposed.

Separate reports had earlier indicated that the Saint Hakob Church, built in 2007, was also demolished, with surrounding areas flattened. Photographs circulating online suggest that khachkars and other monuments located on the church grounds were likewise destroyed.

The agency concluded that the destruction of these sites forms part of an ongoing pattern, linking it to what it described as a historical continuum of policies targeting Armenian identity, memory, and presence in Artsakh.