NEWS IN FEBRUARY 2021
6 February
The members of the Azerbaijani Albanian-Udin Christian Community have visited Agoghlan Monastery in Lachin
Agoghlan Monastery in Lachin
On February 6, the representatives of the Albanian-Udin Christian Community of Azerbaijan visited the ancient Albanian temple-monastery “Agoghlan” located on the territory of the Lachin district.
At the temple “Agoghlan”, it was held a service headed by Rafik Danakari, the Deputy Chairman of the Albanian-Udin Christian Community, there, the prayers were read and candles were lighted.
Following the service, Rafik Danakari, in an interview with the journalists said that it had been a sacred day for the Udin community,
“For the first time in 180 years, we visited the Agoglan Temple. As our great-grandfathers used to attend it. And we, together with representatives of the community and soldiers who took part in the Patriotic War, came here that day to read prayers and light candles. Thank God, the war was over, our lands were liberated from occupation. We prayed for the souls of those killed in the Karabakh war, wished the recovering to the wounded.”
The Deputy Chairman of the community pointed out that the Armenians have made changes in the temple “Agoghlan” during the occupation, in particular, they have distorted the altar,
“The altar is 3 steps high in the Albanian temples whereas in the Armenian temples, the altar is at a height of 5-6 steps. The Armenians had made changes, they moved the altar. Besides, the crosses had been replaced. They drew the Armenian crosses on the walls. But the structure itself indicates that it is an Albanian temple.”
22 February
The new prime minister of Georgia plans to discuss in Baku the issue of the Keshikchi-dag (David-Gareji) monastery
Keshikchi-dag (David-Gareji) monastery
The candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili said in parliament that a trip to Azerbaijan would be one of his first foreign visits.
He plans to discuss with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev the issue of border delimitation and demarcation and the theme of the Keshikchi-dag (David-Gareji) monastery complex.
“We will have a dialogue with Azerbaijan, our brotherly state. I believe that Mr. Aliyev and the friendly Azerbaijani side will make reasonable decisions, we will be able to hold negotiations and find a common language,” he said.
Garibashvili also accused ex-Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili of betrayal and added that he made decisions that damaged the country.
The medieval monastery in Azerbaijan on the border with Georgia is called Keshikchi-dag, which is considered the heritage of the Christian Albanian culture in Azerbaijan.
For many years, the Georgian side has been insisting on the transfer of two monastic complexes to it, which are located on the territory of Azerbaijan, but Baku considers it impossible.