Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin responded to prayer uttered by Turkish nationalists in Ani Cathedral on October 1.
“This step is a political provocation and has nothing in common with spiritual and pious feelings and religious freedom and rights. It is also an attempt to deny the Armenian origin of Cathedral of Ani that was deprived of prayers as a result of the Armenian Genocide. Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin condemns such actions sowing intolerance and Armenia-phobia,” the statement says.
The statement also says it is absolutely unacceptable to allow Muslim prayer in Christian sacred places when those having rights for Christian heritage are banned to pray in their churches. Thus, the Turkish authorities continue their actions aimed at extermination of Armenian memory and appropriation of historical shrines and cultural values.
“It is obvious that doing so Turkey once again violates efforts of Armenia and international community on establishment of the Armenian-Turkish dialogue and normalization of the relations,” the statement concludes.
