Geghard Foundation appealING to  Holy Synod of  Russian Orthodox  Church: Archpriest Alexei Nikonorov "brings grist to the mill" of  Azerbaijani propaganda

ArmInfo.The Geghard Scientific and Analytical Foundation of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia expresses its protest regarding the publications of the  "candidate of theology", Archpriest Alexei Nikonorov,  in the Moscow journal "Theology: Theory and Practice". These publications  systematically track distortion  of historical facts, falsifications and promotion of official Azerbaijani political narratives. 

"Such publications not only contradict the principles of scientific  objectivity, but also harm  inter-church fraternal relations, as well  as relations between the Armenian and Russian peoples," the Geghard  Foundation said in its appeal to the Holy Synod of the Russian  Orthodox Church and the editorial board of the journal "Theology:  Theory and Practice." 

The fact that the author promotes the Albanianization and  Azerbaijanization of the Armenian Christian heritage with his  publications, presenting it as "Caucasus-Albanian" or "Azerbaijani",  is of particular concern. Such replacement is aimed at alienating the  Armenian spiritual and cultural tradition and distorting historical  memory. We consider such actions unacceptable and not appropriate for  Christian service. This is a conscious change of truth that  undermines trust between Christian nations and churches," the  statement said.

 In the article "Short essay on the most important Orthodox  architectural monuments of Azerbaijan" (2022.  T. 1. No. 2. S. 17-35.  DOI: 10.24412/2949-3951-2022-0090) the author claims the existence of  "historic lands of Azerbaijan" until 1918. Historical science tests  to the opposite. Until 1918, neither the state of Azerbaijan, nor the  ethnonym "Azerbaijan", nor the people with that name existed.  In the  article "Topographic map from the collection of L.F. Marsilii as a  source for the history of the Caucasian Albanian church in the XVII  century" (2025. T. 4. No. 2. S. 84-92. DOI:  10.24412/2949-3951-2025-0120) the author calls the Armenian cities of  Yerevan, Nakhichevan and Julfa "Azerbaijani", relying not on sources,  but on political rhetoric.

In the same article, the author arbitrarily calls the Gandzasar  Catholicosate "Ganjasarsky", which is a gross distortion of  historical reality and church tradition. This is part of the  above-mentioned strategy for the "Albanization" of the Armenian  heritage.  In a series of publications, Nikonorov calls the Armenian  Apostolic Church "monophysite" (2025, T. 4. No. 2, p. 84-85).  Meanwhile, modern inter-Christian dialogue confirms this. The  Armenian Church professes Miaphysite theology and is not monophysite.  The use of a discredited term is a theological error and a  manifestation of disrespect for centuries-old tradition.

Also in his publications and biographies Nikonorov A.V. he identifies  himself as a "doctor of church history", although the official letter  of the Papal Eastern University from 05/15/2025 confirms that the  title of doctor of theology was not awarded to him. This misleads the  editors and the academic community

Based on the above, we:  insist on the withdrawal and removal of  specified publications;  require the editors to provide documentary  explanations on the noted issues;  turn to the Russian Orthodox  Church with a request to consider this issue and evaluate the actions  of Archimandrite Alexii (A.V. Nikonorova), as they undermine the  fraternal trust between the Churches and discredit the very service  of the priest;   please take measures to prevent further  anti-Armenian and anti-scientific activity on the part of this  author. Otherwise, we reserve the right to appeal to higher academic  and church authorities, as well as to resort to legal instruments to  protect the historical and cultural heritage of the Armenian people  and restore the historical truth," the statement says.