St. Gregory the Enlightener Church :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Gandzak / Gandzak

Historical Introduction
19 c․

In the mid-19th century, St. Hovhannes Church, that was located in Kilisakyand Quarter, proved too small to satisfy the spiritual needs of the increasing local parish. That is why, as stated in an archive document of 1854, “...The Armenian inhabitants of Yelizavetpol City wished to erect a new church, dedicated to Armenia’s Holy Enlightener, in the territory of the local ancient cemetery. They intended to do it with their own means, without spending the income of St. Hovhannes Church, or turning to fund-raising...”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 3245, p. 15.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 51.

1853 y․

The church, whose foundations were laid in 1853, boasted quite large dimensions (as attested by its construction inscription which follows a little below): “The church, erected in one of the most populous Armenian quarters of the city, represents a splendid, large, high edifice, 30 1/2 metres long and 19 metres 70 centimetres wide. It rests on four pillars and has magnificent, big doors and windows. The largeness of the windows excluded, it bears a close resemblance to Jerusalem’s St. Hakob Monastery. It has three entrances opening in the south, west and north, but only one of them has a small vestibule.” The aforementioned inscription attests that the monument was erected within 16 years (it was accomplished in 1869 without a dome).

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, pp. 44-45.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 52.

1854 y․

The monument was completed only thanks to the assistance of the parishioners of St. Hovhannes Church (500 rubles), for its own community could not afford to continue the work any longer. The church, “...representing a high edifice thoroughly constructed of finely-cut stone, has been standing without a dome for several years now: instead, its roof ends in an earthen hill which gives it the appearance of a Turkish mosque. Is this fine building to be consigned to neglect this year as well?” Despite the aforementioned, however, St. Grigor Lusavorich was described as “a large, high building of finely-finished reddish stone, with a yard surrounded by bars on three sides. It is distinguished for its exterior and interior fineness and, although devoid of a dome and belfry, it is truly considered a pearl among Gandzak’s churches. With its floor paved by marble, it enjoys good illumination provided by six windows, three on either side...” The project of the dome was approved in 1854, and that of the belfry in 1888, but they were not built due to the shortage of financial means. It was only in 1898 that the parish and Board of Trustees of St. Grigor Lusavorich embarked upon repairing that omission. At that time, however, they also faced the necessity of “a. building a gavit in front of the southern and northern entrances of the church; b. covering its floor with exported bricks; c. whitewashing its inner walls and ceiling..., and painting ... the stone pillars together with their arches, the vernatun with all its wooden structures, the 22 windows and ...the remaining iron tools. The other walls and high ceiling should be painted in white chalk...” The aforementioned work required an estimated 2,500 rubles, while the amount necessary for the erection of the dome and belfry was far larger, totaling over 33,000 rubles. For that purpose, “...Gandzak inhabitant Mr. Mkrtich Danielian Afanassian...” donated 5,000 rubles. In 1904 he received the Patriarch’s blessing “...for his assistance in completing the local church of Sourb Lusavorich.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 5285, p. 1.
“Ardzagank,” 1894, No. 4, 12 January, p. 1.
“Nor-Dar,” 1899, No. 85, p. 2.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3363, pp. 2, 10, 28, 35.
“Mshak,” 1910, No. 127.
“Ararat,” 1904, p. 201.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 54.

1901 y․

In 1901 architect Marchenko was charged with supervising the construction of the dome, and in 1903 a new Board of Trustees was established to oversee that work. Most presumably, they succeeded in accomplishing it, for the photographs of the mid-1900s show the church surmounted by a dodecahedral dome having the same number of windows and ending in a pointed broach.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3363, p. 35, 40.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 54.

1907 y․

In 1907 Gandzak inhabitant Anna Balughiants received a Patriarchal bull for having donated “a silver crozier” to St. Grigor Lusavorich.

“Ararat,” 1907, p. 205.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 54.

The problem of the waterwork of the church was settled in 1912, when local resident Aghajan Ohanian had water pipes extended up to its gavit through his own means, his charitable act earning him the Patriarch’s blessing and gratitude.

“Ararat,” 1912, p. 870.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 54.

1936 y․

In 1936 the authorities closed the church, which reopened between 1944 and 1945, functioning until Gandzak Armenians’ forced deportation in 1989 (it was the only functioning Armenian sanctuary in Gandzak at that time).

National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2684, pp. 5-6, 8; file 2692, p. 15.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 54.

Description

Within the fine enclosure of St. Grigor Lusavorich, a small grave-yard and Afanassian School were located.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 54.

Priests
19 c․

Avetik Karapetian Shahsuvariants first attended Gandzak’s District School, but he did not complete his studies there and continued them in a national spiritual school between 1867 and 1870. From 1874 till 1885, he taught Religion in the same institution, and worked as a teacher of the Armenian language in the State Municipal School between 1895 and 1902. From 1900 till 1902, Avetik Karapetian Shahsuvariants taught Religion first in a municipal college school and then in Michaelian Trade School.
This clergyman, who performed priestly duties in Sourb Lusavorich Church from the very day of his ordination on 6 May 1900, was awarded a breast cross for his good service in 1904.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 12, pp. 34-38.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 54.

1908 y․

In 1908 Avetik Karapetian Shahsuvariants shared his post with Ghazaros Yengibariants, Husik Verdiants and Harutiun Yeghiazarian Mraviants: the last of these priests mentioned had been serving the church from the day of his ordination, namely 30 May 1902.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 817, p. 6.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 12, pp. 39-40.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 54.

Waterwork
1912 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction 1853 — 1869 yy․

Engraved on the eastern facade:
By the grace and mercy of God, this holy church was founded on 14 September 1853 and given to Gandzak’s pious people, after it had been completed under Emperor of All Russians Alexandre II and His Holiness Gevorg IV. Blessed on 9 November 1869 by leader of Georgia and Imeret Archbishop Makar and named Sourb Lusavorich after St. Grigor, the Great Pontiff of our nation. This church of St. Grigor Lusavorich was founded in 1853 and accomplished in 1869.
The Armenian original published in: Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 45; “Nor-Dar,”1899, No. 185, p. 2; Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, pp. 300-301; “Sion,” April-May 1957, p. 112.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 53.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction 1857 y․

Incised into one of the southern pillars of the church:
This pillar was built through Kerovb Ter-Martirossiants’ means in perpetuation of his parents’ memory in 1857.
The Armenian original published in: Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 45.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 53-54.

Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1985 y․

The part preceding the southern entrance to the church of St. Gregory the Enlightener in 1985

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Partial view of its dram

Type Photo
View Interior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Partial views of its dram

Type Photo
View Interior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Its dram

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

A partial view of its southern pediment

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

St. Grigor Lusavirich church before the construction of its dome

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

The plan of St. Grigor Lusavorich Church

Author Frederick Berlemont
Date 2007 y․