Sourb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church 19 c․

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Kasum-Ismayilov / Khoyli

Historical Introduction

Khoyli remained devoid of a church until the early 1850s so that the necessary religious ceremonies were either performed in the church of Gharadaghlu, or a clergyman was invited from the neighbouring villages. According to an archive document of 1861, Khoyli had a church called Sourb Astvatzatzin; hence we can conclude that it was built in the second half of the 1850s.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 147-148.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 322.

Repairs
1886 y․

In 1886 the issue of the overhaul of that “simple, dark and dilapidated” monument was put forward. Oral discussion was soon followed by the beginning of its renovation, “…the local people themselves assuming all the burden of the work.”

“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 19, p. 280.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 322.

Historical Introduction
1905 y․

In the days of the Armeno-Turkish fights between 1905 and 1906, the Turkish bandits plundered and destroyed Sourb Astvatzatzin Church. After peace had been restored, the inhabitants of Khoyli returned to their homes and repaired the monument.

National Archives of Armenia,fund 53, list 1, file 3764, p. 278.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 322.

1911 y․

In 1911 Sourb Astvatzatzin received some church books from the Religious Department of Gandzak.

“Ararat,” 1911, p. 522.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 322.

Repairs
1914 y․

In 1914 the newly-repaired sanctuary was consecrated by Diocese Leader Levon the Bishop.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2644, p. 22.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 322.

Historical Introduction
1935 y․

In 1935 the church started serving as an office.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 322.

1980 y․

By the early 1980s, its building had been reduced to a semi-ruined state.