Alban-Udi Community of Azerbaijan sounds alarm over falsification of heritage

The Alban-Udi Christian Religious Community of Azerbaijan has called for the restoration of the Albanian Apostolic Church in the country, saying this would help preserve and pass on the historical heritage of Caucasian Albania to future generations.

“When our church was once placed under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Church, a situation arose in which we even stopped worshipping at our native church. After Azerbaijan gained independence, we showed the world that the Albanian Church has no connection with the Armenian Church. We had our own native language and religious books. The books and churches are also historical Albanian books and churches,” Chairman of the Alban-Udi Christian Religious Community Robert Mobili told local media.

Mobili said a statement had also been issued concerning what the community described as Armenia’s appropriation of Christian monuments and historical heritage belonging to Caucasian Albania.

“When we talk about the falsification of Albanian heritage, this means changing the architectural style of the native church. It also includes bringing and installing symbolic elements and crosses that are not characteristic of the church, as well as changing the door. If we recognize Albanian King Javanshir, we must also recognize that he built churches. Those churches are also of great importance to scholars and tourists around the world. This is our historical place. We lived here,” he said.

Mobili also highlighted restoration efforts in Azerbaijan aimed at preserving what the community identifies as Albanian heritage.

“Today, our goal is to restore Albanian churches. The Kish Temple and the Church of the Virgin Mary are clear examples of this. Restoration work is also continuing in Karabakh,” Mobili said.

According to him, restoring the Albanian Apostolic Church in Azerbaijan would be the most effective way to counter what the community considers attempts to falsify Albanian heritage.

“It should have a clergyman. In the future, this clergyman should be the custodian of the cultural heritage. It should have its own community, and no other Christian country should lay claim to it,” he said.

Mobili said his main message was directed at the Armenian Church and the politicization of the issue.

He added that the restoration of churches, training of clergy and attracting tourists are among the key steps needed to preserve and pass on the history of Caucasian Albania and Albanian-Udi heritage to future generations.

The Alban-Udi Christian Religious Community also adopted a statement concerning reactions in Armenia to a recent visit by representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to Azerbaijan to Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, including the Gandzasar and Khudavang monasteries, which the community identifies as part of Albanian historical and cultural heritage.

In the statement, members of the community, which describes itself as the successor to the Alban (Caucasian) Apostolic Independent Church, strongly condemned what it called a “revanchist attitude” among Armenian society and political circles toward the diplomatic visit.

“We believe that the presentation by the Armenian side, including Armenian lobby circles that have still not abandoned war propaganda, as well as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other senior officials who claim to be committed to the peace agenda, of historical Azerbaijani monuments such as Gandzasar and Khudavang as Armenian heritage not only denies and falsifies historical facts, but also poses a threat to the fragile peace process taking shape in the region,” the statement said.

“The targeted campaign conducted in Armenia against the visit by representatives of the diplomatic corps shows that the political and religious circles in this country are not sincere in their desire for peace and continue to take an intolerant approach to Azerbaijan's legitimate rights,” it added.

By Vafa Guliyeva