Azerbaijan Destroys Stepanakert Cathedral and Irreplaceable Armenian Sacred Art

The destruction of the Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Stepanakert also wiped out significant works of Armenian sacred art, including a set of handcrafted entrance doors created specifically for the church by artist and sculptor Robert Askaryan.

The cathedral was completely destroyed sometime between March 3 and April 2, 2026, according to satellite monitoring cited by Artsakh Cultural Heritage Ombudsman Hovik Avanesov.

Among the works lost were Askaryan’s entrance doors, which had been designed as an integral part of the cathedral rather than simply serving as an entryway. Made entirely by hand, the doors featured detailed carvings and sculptural elements drawing on Armenian Christian imagery and the country’s centuries-old artistic traditions.

Each element was individually crafted, combining religious symbolism with Armenian cultural memory and Askaryan’s own artistic approach. The doors were considered works of art in their own right and helped define the cathedral’s visual character.

Avanesov said their destruction represents an irreversible loss to Armenian cultural heritage.

The loss of the doors shows the broader cultural impact of the cathedral’s destruction. Works created specifically for the church and inseparable from its architecture disappeared along with the building, leaving no possibility of preserving them elsewhere.

Avanesov serves as Artsakh’s cultural heritage ombudsman and vice president of the National Historical and Cultural NGO.

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