The targeting of the Shushi Holy Savior Cathedral in Artsakh is of a piece with Azerbiajan’s erasure of its Christian past, and its ally Turkey’s contempt for its own Christian history. In Turkey, as well as all over the Middle East and in Central Asia, one principal manifestation of this contempt is the fact that there are mosques built on the former sites of Christian churches. There is an ongoing attempt now in Azerbaijan and Turkey to efface all traces of the Christian presence, so as to give the impression that no Christians ever lived in a particular area from which they were been driven out, and no injustice was actually done.
This is one reason why it is so important for Christians and all people of good will to preserve historical memories of the Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian genocides of the early twentieth centuries, and all other incidents of the persecution of Christians throughout history.
❗️Russian journalist reportedly injured as #Azerbaijani rockets hit a 19th century cathedral in #Karabakh for a second time today.
Journalists flocked to the scene after the first attack, reporting on the aftermath. #Azerbaijan chose that moment to launch another strike. pic.twitter.com/G8WPsJoutG
— Murad Gazdiev (@MuradGazdiev) October 8, 2020
“Azerbaijan targets Armenian Church and Cultural House in Artsakh (VIDEO),” by Paul Antonopoulos, Greek City Times, October 9, 2020:
Azerbaijan has not hidden away from targeting sites of Armenian culture in Artsakh as it continues its invasion with the support of Turkey and Al-Qaeda elements imported from Syria.
Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said on Twitter that “Shushi Holy Savior Cathedral has been deliberately bombed by savage aggressor. Azerbaijan with direct involvement of Turkey and international terrorists continue to target civilians, destroy infrastructure and reveal the depth of their barbarity by destroying holy sites. This is an affront to humanity.”
Azerbaijan also shelled the church a second time when journalists arrived to cover the event….
