The newly formed Committee has as its mission to preserve the churches and monuments in Artsakh that are now occupied by Azerbaijan since the November 10, 2020 agreement. Armenians have had a long history on the land of Artsakh, which constitute an integral part of historical Armenia. Since the conversion of the Armenians to Christianity in the fourth century, the churches and monuments are living embodiments of the Christian faith. The Committee will work in a variety of ways to both bring international attention to these churches and monuments and to also preserve the rights of Armenians to freely practice Christianity at these sites. A major goal is to prevent damage or destruction of these holy sites.

 
The Office of Preservation of Armenian Churches and Historical Sites in the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin, under the direction of Very Rev. Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan, has already identified more than 120 sites for the preservation efforts. The Committee has already met twice and will be meeting regularly to plan and move forward with its mission.
 
Members of the Committee are: Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Berjekian, Very Rev. Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan (Etchmiadzin office), Dr. Mary Papazian, Dr. Sergio La Porta, Dr. Christina Maranci, Dr. Rachel Goshgarian, Dr. Heghnar Watenpaugh, Dr. Jasmin Düm-Tragut, Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Garo Ghazarian, Esq., Karnig Kerkonian, Esq., Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Dr. Hagop Panossian, Jora Manoucherian, and Simon Maghakian.