Armenian Church condemns Azerbaijan's destruction of church in Karabakh
St. James Church in Stepanakert, whose destruction was condemned by the Armenian Church. Photo: Pastinfo
On April 23, 2026, the Armenian Apostolic Church stated that Azerbaijani authorities had destroyed St. James Church and other monuments in Stepanakert, Karabakh, Pastinfo reported.
In a statement, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin said the church and monuments had been demolished under the pretext of removing “illegal structures.” It also voiced concern over reports of the destruction of the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Theotokos in Stepanakert.
The Church stressed that it views what is happening as the deliberate destruction of Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage. “This act of vandalism, carried out at the state level, testifies to the unchanged anti-Armenian policy of Azerbaijan,” the statement said.
Etchmiadzin noted that such actions call into question claims of a desire to establish lasting peace with Armenia.
The Armenian Apostolic Church urged the Armenian authorities to take urgent measures to prevent the further destruction of cultural heritage and appealed to the international community to respond to what is happening.
Earlier, the UOJ reported on the destruction of religious sites in Stepanakert, including cases confirmed by satellite imagery.
Read also
TRC officers mobilize rector of UOC parish in Radisne
Archpriest Mykhailo Bilokin was detained on his way to a service in the Kamianske Eparchy, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Metropolitan Onuphry consecrates Annunciation Church in Bukovyna village of Ostrytsia
Thousands of faithful from the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC gathered for the service in the newly consecrated Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.
U.S. delegation visits St. Sophia of Kyiv ahead of peace talks
Zelensky took the U.S. negotiators to St. Sophia of Kyiv.
Rescuers urge Hasidic pilgrims in Uman not to perform rituals in local quarry
The State Emergency Service warned Hasidic pilgrims in Uman about the dangers of ritual immersion in a flooded quarry that is not equipped for swimming.
UOC Social Department provides food packages to 100 displaced families
In Kyiv, 100 internally displaced families received food and essential supplies from the UOC Social Department.
Third Armenian judge refuses to hear case against Catholicos
A third judge has refused to hear the case against the head of the Armenian Church and six bishops, with the case materials sent to the Court of Cassation.