Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 3 / Trend I. Izzet /
Maintenance of the Albanian-Udi church is one of the priority issues for the government of Azerbaijan. This was stated at the festival "The tenth anniversary of the revival" dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as the official state religion in Caucasian Albania and the 10th anniversary of the revival of the Albanian-Udi church, which was held in Nij village of Gabala region with the support of the State Committee for Work Religious Organizations and the Albanian-Udi Christian community.
The Azerbaijani government has always supported the Albanian-Udi church, which is one of the oldest religions of the country, holding numerous events for the international recognition of the heritage of Caucasian Albania, head of the department of religious expertise, public relations and analysis of the State Committee Agil Shirinov say at the event.
"Maintenance of the Albanian-Udi church is one of the priority issues for the government of Azerbaijan. Over the last year, the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations has undertaken a great deal of work for the recognition of this heritage. Activities in this direction will be continued in the future. In the near future we plan to publish a book on the history of the Apostolic Autocephalous Church of Albania, hold a conference on the international level on the Caucasian Albania and organize a photo exhibition of the world-renowned photographer Reza Diggeti, reflecting Albanian religious and cultural monuments, at the UNESCO level," the department head said.
According to Shirinov, for years, Armenians have been trying to appropriate the material and spiritual heritage of the churches of Caucasian Albania, but Azerbaijan will not allow it, and this lie will be fully suppressed.
Worldwide recognition of the Church of Caucasian Albania as the ancient Apostolic Church, belonging to Azerbaijan, will stop attempts of appropriation of this heritage by the Armenians. Thanks to the efforts of the Azerbaijani state, the general public is informed of the fact that this ancient church belongs to Azerbaijan as well as the fact that its representatives continue to live here today," Shirinov said.