Christianity In Azerbaijan: A Look At Its Many Churches

Azerbaijan is a secular state with a rich history of religious diversity. While the country is predominantly Muslim, with Islam being the dominant religion, there are also several churches and synagogues operating freely. The exact number of churches varies across sources, with some stating there are 13, and others stating there are 18. These churches represent various Christian denominations, including Russian and Georgian Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran.

Azerbaijan's Christian population

Azerbaijan is a secular state, and its constitution ensures freedom of religion. While the country is predominantly Muslim, with estimates of 93-99% of the population adhering to Islam, there is a small Christian minority. Christians in Azerbaijan are estimated to number between 280,000 and 450,000 people, or 3.1% to 4.8% of the population. The Christian population is mostly made up of Russian and Georgian Orthodox Christians, as well as Armenian Apostolic Christians, who were present across the country before 1990. There is also a small ethnic Azerbaijani Protestant community, numbering around 5,000, mostly from Muslim backgrounds.

The history of Christianity in Azerbaijan dates back to the first years of the Apostolic era, and it has a long and complex history in the region. The country has five operating Orthodox churches, with three located in Baku: the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral, the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, and the Church of Michael the Archangel. There is also a Catholic presence in the country, with the foundation of the first Catholic church laid in the early 20th century. However, the Catholic population in Azerbaijan is small, with only about 500 adherents. In addition, there are 25 small communities of Protestant Baptists in the country.

The Albanian Church, which holds a significant place in the history of Christianity, is also present in Azerbaijan. The territory of Caucasian Albania is considered one of the places of origin of the first Christian communities. The registration of the Alban-Udi Christian religious community is an important event in the history of Christianity in the region.

While Azerbaijan is a secular state, religious laws can be restrictive towards minority religions. There are requirements for registration of religious bodies, limits on proselytizing by foreigners, control over religious literature, and harassment of "non-traditional" religions such as Jehovah's Witnesses and evangelical Protestant Christians. Despite these challenges, the evangelical church in Azerbaijan is growing, with a growth rate higher than the global average.

The country's religious laws

Azerbaijan is a secular state, with the country's constitution ensuring freedom of religion. However, the government has been criticised for its strict control over religious practice, with the country receiving a score of zero out of four for religious freedom in 2023.

The Azerbaijani government maintains a secular position, with Article 7 of the constitution declaring Azerbaijan a secular state, and Article 18 declaring the separation of religion and state. The role of Islam in politics and everyday life in Azerbaijan is relatively small. While the vast majority of Azerbaijanis identify as Muslim, less than a quarter of those have a basic understanding of the pillars of Islam.

The government censors religious literature and closes down religious institutions that it considers objectionable. Political speech by religious institutions is forbidden, and clerics are not allowed to run for political office. The display of religious paraphernalia, flags and slogans is forbidden, except in places of worship, religious centres and offices. Ashura festivities in public are forbidden, and the wearing of the hijab in public institutions and schools is also forbidden.

The government has been accused of using mosque closures to repress independent Muslim groups that act independently of the state. Clerics who act in ways objectionable to the state face dismissal and arrest. The government does not restrict religious conversion but forbids proselytising.

In 2019, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reported the arrest of 77 individuals labelled as "Shia extremists", of whom 48 were considered political prisoners by human rights defenders. These individuals testified that police and other officials tortured them to coerce false confessions.

Despite being a Shia Muslim-majority country, the ruling regime of Ilham Aliyev regularly and aggressively enforces secularism.

The history of Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan

Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan has a long history, dating back to the first millennium BC or earlier when it was the predominant religion of Greater Iran before the conversion to Islam. The name Azerbaijan means the "Land of The Eternal Fire" in Middle Persian, reflecting the link with Zoroastrianism as fire is the most important symbol of purity in the religion.

Zoroastrianism was the official religion in Persia from 600 BCE to 650 CE, and it was during this time that the area of southern Azerbaijan was integrated into the Achaemenid Empire by Cyrus II. Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in the Empire, but it was not imposed on the people of subject territories. This changed under the rule of Darius I, where Zoroastrianism was the official religion of the Achaemenid Empire, including Azerbaijan, and religious freedom was granted.

The religion has left a deep mark on the history of Azerbaijan, with traces of Zoroastrianism still visible in Surakhany, Khinalyg, and Yanar Dag. The country's new year, Nowruz, is one of the main holidays, and all its traditions are rooted in Zoroastrianism. The holiday of Novruz Bayrami is considered one of the most respected in the country, and the preparation and celebration of this festival demonstrate the strength of Zoroastrian traditions in Azerbaijan.

The Fire Temple of Baku, constructed in the 1880s, is an example of the continued influence of Zoroastrianism in the country. The temple was built for the use of Parsi Zoroastrians who came to the region during the discovery of oil in Baku and is constructed in the traditional chartaqi layout.

Today, Zoroastrianism is still popular among the local people, and the religion, culture, and traditions are highly respected in Azerbaijan.

The existence of different types of churches

Azerbaijan is a secular state, and its constitution ensures freedom of religion. The country is home to various religious faiths, with Islam being the dominant religion. However, there are also different types of churches in the country, including Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran churches.

Orthodox Churches

The Russian and Georgian Orthodox churches represent orthodoxy in Azerbaijan. The Eparchy of Baku and the Caspian region group the Russian Orthodox churches. There are five Eastern Orthodox churches in the country, with three located in Baku: Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral, Blessed Virgin Mary Church, and Church of Michael the Archangel. The other two are in Ganja and Khachmaz. Additionally, there are four Georgian Orthodox churches in the Gakh region.

Catholic Churches

Catholicism in Azerbaijan dates back to the 14th century when missionaries from various Catholic missions, such as Dominicans, Carmelites, and Franciscans, started spreading the faith. The foundation of the first Catholic church, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Immaculate, was laid in the early 20th century. Today, there is a small Catholic community in Baku and its surroundings, with fewer than a thousand members. The Catholic Church in Baku was demolished during the Stalin era but was rebuilt and opened in 2007.

Lutheran Churches

Lutheranism was introduced to Azerbaijan with the resettlement of Germans and Poles in the South Caucasus during the first half of the 19th century. The German Lutheran Church in Baku, opened in March 2003, is considered one of the largest in Europe. The History-Ethnography Museum of Goygol is housed in a former Lutheran church built in 1856.

In addition to these main types, there are also other Christian denominations and sectarian communities in Azerbaijan, such as Protestantism and the historical Albanian church.

The country's Jewish population

Azerbaijan is a secular state, with a constitution that ensures freedom of religion. The country is predominantly Muslim, with over 90% of the population identifying as such. However, there is a small but significant Jewish population in the country, which is made up of three distinct groups: Mountain Jews, Ashkenazi Jews, and Georgian Jews.

Mountain Jews are the most sizable and ancient group, with around 11,000 people, mainly residing in Baku, Guba, and other cities. They are believed to have descended from the Persian Empire and have a unique dialect called Judeo-Tat, which integrates ancient Hebrew. Ashkenazi Jews, on the other hand, settled in Azerbaijan during the late 19th to early 20th centuries and during World War II. Their population stands at around 4,300, with Baku and Sumgayit as their main residences. Finally, there are about 700 Georgian Jews, who mainly settled in Baku during the early 20th century.

In total, the Jewish population in Azerbaijan is estimated to be around 16,000. They have a rich history in the country, dating back many centuries. Over time, they have established synagogues, schools, and cultural centres. Currently, there are ten synagogues in Azerbaijan, with three in Baku, two in Quba, and two in Oguz, serving as places of worship for the Jewish communities. Additionally, there are women's charitable organizations, Zionist groups, youth associations, and even a Jewish village called Qırmızı Qəsəbə, believed to be the oldest and only fully Jewish town outside of Israel.

The Jewish community in Azerbaijan has experienced periods of revival and migration. In the 1960s, they witnessed a cultural revival with the printing of Jewish samizdat publications and the reestablishment of cultural and Zionist organizations. However, during the Soviet dissolution and the independence of Azerbaijan, most Jewish residents fled due to rising antisemitism and violence. Many emigrated to Israel or the United States, causing a significant decrease in the Jewish population. Despite these challenges, the remaining Jewish community in Azerbaijan continues to thrive, with active synagogues, schools, and cultural activities, contributing to the country's rich multicultural fabric.

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