The Armenian Apostolic Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has condemned today's Azerbaijani shelling of the Holy Savior Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi Artsakh.

A statement released by the Holy See reads:

"During these terrifying days of hostilities unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the Azerbaijani armed forces are shelling non-military population centers, the capital Stepanakert, Shushi and other cities, taking innocent lives and causing great damage to the civilian population.

"Ignoring all international obligations, Azerbaijan has targeted the sanctuaries and historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh, thus revealing its condemnable and traditional policy aimed at the eviction of Armenians from Artsakh and the destruction of the Armenian cultural presence there.

"Today, October 8, during the shelling of peaceful settlements, the church of the Holy Savior (Ghazanchetsots) in Shushi was targeted and bombed.

"The Mother See condemns the incident, labelling it as an extreme manifestation of religious intolerance.

"We call on church pastors, the international community and inter-denominational organizations to raise their voices for the cessation of bloodshed, for the protection of the free and independent life of the people of Artsakh, and the preservation of ancient cultural heritage."