"ZERKALO": IREVAN OR ZANGEZUR MOSQUE IN RESPONSE TO NEW NAKHCHIVAN CHURCH
R. Rustamov
DemAz.org
Nov 28 2007
Azerbaijan
It is time to give real answer to Armenian religious propaganda Last
week director of the institute on human rights of National Academy of
Science of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Rovshan Mustafayev, referring
to Moscow source, informed APA agency that Armenians are building "New
Nakhchivan Church" in Moscow. Accordingly to him, Armenians launched
campaign of claims to Nakhchivan at international level. He reminded
the fact that Academy of Science of Armenia published encyclopedia
in which Nakhchivan is allegedly belonged to Armenia.
"Armenians continue organization exhibitions and conferences on
Nakhchivan all over the world. Armenia focuses on this issue at state
level. Scientists of Azerbaijan should express their relation to it.
It would be better to appeal to Government of Russia, religious
structure on this issue and if necessary to send out delegation to
Moscow", said Rovshan Mustafayev. He also applied to the Azerbaijanis
of the world calling them not to be indifferent to this issue.
In the interview dated November 25 for Day.Az R. Mustafayev underlined
that with construction of New Nakhchivan church in Moscow Armenians
attempt to solve their tactical issues. He declared that within the
situation of expected collapse Armenians see no way but mobilization
common religious sectarian resource as their traditional instrument
on uniting communities scattered round the world.
Construction of the church in Moscow of which R. Mustafayev speaks
started in 1996 on the basis of enactment of administration of Moscow
city. October 8, 1996 administration of Moscow approved enactment
"On construction of church and residence of Patriarch Ekzarkh Head
of New Nakhchivan and Russian eparchy of Armenian Apostolic church".
Uninformed reader can wonder that Armenian eparchy bears the name of
ancient Azerbaijani town. To clarify the reason we have to review the
history of Armenians’ coming to Russian territory. First large Armenian
settlement on Russian territory appeared in 1736. After foundation
of fortress Kizlar in 1736, 450 Armenian families from Derbent,
Garabagh and Iran came here. But the largest Armenian settlement on
Russian territory became New Nakhchivan, founded following decree of
All-Russian Ekaterina II in 1881. First inmates of Nakhchivan were
Armenians who under the cover of "saving from the yoke of people
practicing other religion" were moved to the territories of Russian
Empire from the territory of Crimean khanate.
Consequently Nakhchivan turned to one of the regions of Rostov-on-
Don city.
Construction of Armenian churches on Russian territories took
place simultaneously with creation of Armenian settlements. In 1706
accordingly to Peter’s the First decree Armenian community of Astrakhan
was granted the right to construction of stony church.
Thus, Armenian Cathedral of Holy Mary appeared in the city. 11 years
later, 1717, Astrakhan turned to center of newly created eparchy of
Armenian apostle church in Russia. First of all pro-Russian orientation
of Armenians, Armenia and foreign policy of Russia relating to East
initiated by Peter the First promoted its formation.
New eparchy united all Armenian churches of empire.
First years of its existence eparchy of Armenian church on
Russian territory used to be under Gandzasar throne. But late XVII
c. accordingly to written instruction of Ekaterina II Armenians
of Russia went under Echmiadzin ruling. In 1773 Russian eparchy
of Armenian apostle church was officially founded. In 1780 it was
renamed as New Nakhchivan. After revolution of 1917 administrative
and territorial changes took place within the structure of Armenian
Apostle church. In Soviet Russia there existed 2 Armenian eparchies:
New Nakhchivan with its center in Rostov-on-Don, North Caucasian and
Astrakhan with its center in Armavir. Such structure preserved itself
up to the mid XX c. In 1966 accordingly to decree of Catholicos of
all Armenians, Vazgen I, New Nakhchivan and Russian eparchy uniting
Astrakhan, New Nakhchivan and North Caucasian eparchies with Moscow
congregation were created. Moscow turned to new eparchy center.
How official authorities of Azerbaijan will regard information on
construction of New Nakhchivan church in Moscow or is it the fact of
Armenian claim to territory of Nakhchivan?
As press secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan,
Khazar Ibrahim, declared Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia deals with
this matter. "He is informed that the name of this church connected
with the name of the city situated on the territory of Rostov. But
we informed of our concern connected with these steps and continuing
our activity in this direction", underlined Kh. Ibrahim.
Head of press service of Caucasian Muslim Board, haji Akif, declared
for our correspondent that Armenian eparchy in Moscow always existed
under this name. "In Soviet times it had a name of area under Rostov",
stressed haji Akif. At the same time head of press service of Caucasian
Muslim Board underlined that it doesn’t change the essence of the case
in question. "Calling settlement in Rostov as Nakhchivan, or church in
Moscow, Armenians always mean Azerbaijani Nakhchivan", underscored he.
Accordingly to haji Akif, Armenians’ action should be responded
by real actions not by voice. "It is not difficult for Azerbaijanis
living here in Azerbaijan to build Irevan, Zangezur mosque in Moscow",
noted haji Akif.
Head of communities of mountain Jews, Semen Ikhilov, declared to our
correspondent that politics should have no place in religion.
P.S. History of Armenian nation was always closely connected with
apostle (Gregorian) church. It is church owing to which Armenians
who over thousand years had no statehood managed to preserve their
language, alphabet, culture. Armenian Church simultaneously played
the role of political organization of Armenians. Armenian clergy
played the role of conductor of Russian policy in South Caucasus.
Owing to close participation of Gregorian church Armenian National
Organizations "Dashnaktsutsun", "Gnchak" Armenian terrorist
organization ASALA were created. Activity of these "fighter for the
idea of Great Armenia" resulted in killing thousands innocent Turks
and representatives of other nationalities.