The first Orthodox church has been opened in Nagorno-Karabakh, particularly in the premises of the Russian military city located in the vicinity of Stepanakert, TASS reports.

Among those attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Commander of the Southern Military Okrug, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov and Commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh Genady Anashkin.

“Unfortunately, Russians churches in Nagorno-Karabakh haven’t been preserved. During the Soviet era, they were all destroyed by the Bolsheviks, and this Russian Orthodox church, which was opened in honor of the Nativity of Christ, is becoming sacred and historical,” leader of the Russian community of Stepanakert.

The first prayer was said after the opening.