BISHOP ALEXANDER: "ARMED FORCED SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE OCCUPIED LANDS"

Azeri Press Agency
02 Jul 2008 16:28
Azerbaijan

Lachin Sultanova-APA. Eparchy of Russian Orthodox Church’s last
assembly positively valued the activity of Azerbaijani Orthodox Church
in Moscow, Caspian and Baku Bishop Alexander said at press conference,
APA reports.

He noted that Moscow assembly discussed main subject on union of
church. The assembly restored the activity of Church Court and passed
a decision on deprivation of priests, who called for separation, from
religious ranks. The assembly also covered events on 1020th anniversary
of adoption of Christianity in Russia. Asked about roles of religious
men in the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict Alexander noted
that several forces tried to keep the conflict under religion as the
conflict begun. Meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian religious heads on
the initiative of Russian Orthodox Church proved that it was not real.

Bishop mentioned that political heads conducted negotiations on the
settlement of the conflict and stressed that political heads had
meetings by the help of religious men.

"Russian Orthodox Church is interested in restoration of stability in
the region. We want peaceful solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
implementation of adoptions by UN Security Council and General
Assembly, withdrawal of Armed Forces from the occupied lands, returning
of IDPs to their lands", he said.

Bishop touched upon the activity of untraditional religions in
Azerbaijan and added that he was anxious about it.

"People are involved in false sects by promising money", he said.