Sourb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church 1650 y․

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Dashkesan / Khachakap

Historical Introduction
1847 y․

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church, founded in 1650, was located in the centre of the village (the earliest archive documents mentioning it date from 1847).

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list1, file 3818, pp. 96-97.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 177.

Architectural Description
1650 y․

It represented a “magnificent” edifice (exterior dimensions: 18.9 x 12.28 metres) of finely-dressed stone “resting on four splendid pillars.”

“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 310.
“Nor-Dar,” 1886, No. 65, p. 1.
Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 308.
Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 313.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 177.

Historical Introduction
1988 y․

The monument, which was preserved intact as of 1988, used to have inscriptions commemorating its foundation and repairs.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 177.

Repairs
1864 y․

Parallel with the construction of the belfry in 1864, some repairs were carried out in the church. Further overhaul was implemented in 1880.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 178.

19 c․

In the late 19th century, Sourb Astvatzatzin was again in need of renovation: “The Reverend Father Tavakaliants, who had come to our village on an informal visit, noticed that the church roof was in a state of dilapidation, water constantly leaking through its ceiling. He started collecting money and raised 300 rubles for the overhaul scheduled for the summer.”

“Nor-Dar,” 1896, No. 118, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 178.

Historical Introduction
1928 y․

The sanctuary closed in 1928.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2658, p. 12.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 178.

Priests
1840 — 1860 yy․

Movses Yepiskopossiants performed priestly duties between the 1840s and 1860s.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 6, file 31, pp. 56-58.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 178.

1858 y․

Anton Grigorian Malkhassiants, mentioned in 1858, served simultaneously the communities of Kirants and Karhat Villages.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list1, file 3831, pp. 39-40.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 178.

1904 — 1910 yy․

Before coming to Khachnakap, Grigor Ter-Hovhannissian Ter-Avetikiants (1904 to 1910), who was ordained in 1884, was the spiritual shepherd of the Armenian refugees living in Veliaminov Region on the shore of the Black Sea. From 1908 until 1910, Priest Hovhannes Ter-Yeghiazariants joined him in his work.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 12, pp. 65-66. Also see fund 53, list 1, file 817, p. 7.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 458, list 1, file 184, p. 7. Also see fund 53, list 1, file 817, p. 7.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 178-179.

1898 — 1919 yy․

Hovhannes Davtian Ter-Yeghiazariants, mentioned between 1898 and 1919, was ordained priest in 1898. From 1903 till 1904, he taught Religion and Armenian in Khachakap’s Russian public school. During the period between 1898 and 1919, he “…dedicated himself to the education of the younger generation and soon initiated the purchase of a building for Khachakap’s parish school…”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 5, file 250, p. 94. Also see fund 56, list 6, file 1174, p. 11.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 12, pp. 65-66.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 179.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction 1650 y․

Carved on the facade of the church:
Built in the year 1650 through the means and efforts of the people of Khachakap, repaired in the year 1864. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
The Armenian original published in: “Nor-Dar,” 1886, No. 65, p. 1; Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 288.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 177.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction 1880 y․

4 lines in the Armenian original engraved near the northern corner of the western facade of the church:
In the year 1880. The bema and hall of this holy church were paved through the means of Tamam, the daughter of Abunts Hakob from Pib. In memory of their souls.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 178.

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

Date 1980 y․