ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Gandzak 93 Monuments

Azerbaijan (Country) / Northern Artsakh (Area) / Gandzak (District)

Historical Introduction
18 c․

The Great Resettlement of the 18th Century. In the second half of the 18th century, the khan of Gandzak himself raided his territories, putting the local Armenians in a grave predicament, the only way out of which was to stop sowing altogether, as they were forced to hand in the entire harvest they got, sometimes being merely robbed of it: “...when the khans started taxing the Armenians beyond any reason, out of their special love for that people, they refused to cultivate the soil under various pleas, getting convinced that they could not hide their crops from the officials’ long-sighted looks... Under the khans, their (the Armenians’ - S. K.) entire property belonged to them unless the Muslims decided to seize it, something considered far from unfair, for the infidels themselves were regarded as the Muslims’ property...”

Meves, V. Articles on Yelizavetpol District. In: “Kavkaz,” 1865, No. 95, pp. 512-522, in Russian (the original reads, “...когда ханы из особой любви к армянам стали требовать с них малджагат в безпредельных размерах, то армяне, под разными предлогами начали оставлять хлебопашество, убедившись, что урожая не могут скрывать от зоркаго глаза своих повелителей... При ханах армяне не могли расчитывать на видимую собственность: все их видимое достояние было до тех пор их собственностью, пока правоверный не вздумал отнять; и это не считалось несправедливостью, потому что и сам гяур считался собственностью правовернаго...”).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 11.

18 c․

The Great Resettlement of the 18th Century. Not only were the Armenians oppressed financially but they were also taxed in another peculiar way, being obliged to give up even their young children: “Money was collected during the bayram twice a year. As for the 21 Armenian villages, although it remains unknown to what extent they were taxed, the khan took an unreasonable amount of money from the poor peasants, mostly robbing them. The wealthy villages gave even more, the Armenians being also compelled to deliver up their little children in payment of the taxes.”

A Muslim feast. Collected Acts of the Caucasian Archaeological Commission vol. 2, Tiflis, 1868, p. 596, all volumes in Russian (the original reads, “Деньги собирались в два срока годоваго времени, когда бывает байрам; а с 21 Армянской деревни, хотя и не означено сколько давали, но хан брал неограниченно, а более грабежем. Касательно до скота, то брато им с богатых деревень больше; также брали в числе подати Армянских мужескаго и женскаго пола малолетних детей...”).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 11.

18 c․

The Great Resettlement of the 18th Century. The trophies gained during the invasions of Georgia, Daghestan and the neighbouring khanates came to add to those seized in the region proper.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 11.

1770 y․

The Great Resettlement of the 18th Century. Unable to bear those severe conditions, in the 1770s the Armenian population of tens of villages, mostly from the densely-inhabited eastern and south-eastern parts of Gandzak District, resettled in Shamshadin (Shamshadil) and Borchalu. Left derelict a few decades before in the aftermath of the Lezghin incursions, these districts comprised numerous village sites which became haven for the newly-arrived Armenians of Gandzak. Part of the resettlers, coming from the cities of Shamkor and Gandzak as well as the adjacent villages, took up residence in Havlabar (later it became a quarter in Tpghis and numerous other villages in Kartli and Cahetia, such as Lis, Mukhran, Akhalkalak, etc.

They built two churches, Shamkoretsots (Of Shamkor Inhabitants) Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin) and Gandzaketsots (Of Gandzak Inhabitants) St. Gevorg (Dzorabash), standing not far from each other in Havlabar, a quarter in Tbilisi, Georgia. Remarkably, as attested by Prior Astvatzatur the Archimandrite of Charek Monastery located in Getabek District, over a century after the emigration, the aged natives of Shamkor living in Havlabar still remembered various stories and legends associated with their birthplace: “In times bygone, Gardman District of Armenia used to retain a great number of prospering monasteries. Today, however, their meagre remnants comprise the only reminders of their existence that touch the travellers’ hearts. It is only Charek Monastery that endured the barbarians’ repeated raids and now stands preserved. The elderly Armenians dwelling in Shamkor Quarter of Tiflis recall some splendid legends connected with the sanctuary. Many years ago, a driblet of persecuted people abandoned the monastery and their villages and emigrated to Tiflis and other places, escaping the terrible plight they suffered in the foreign barbarians’ hands...” (“Ararat,” 1879, p. 320, in Armenian). Also spelled as Tpkhis: an old version of the name of Georgian capital Tbilisi.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 11-12.

Catholicoi

Gandzak as the Seat of Aghvank Catholicoses. Gandzak was one of the most important seats of Aghvank Catholicoses, who moved there from Partaw: “...When the Persians became powerful, the patriarchal see was transferred to Gandzak...”

The Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa. Translated from the Original Armenian with a Commentary and Introduction by Ara Edmond Dostourian. University Press of America (Lanham. New York. London), 1993, p. 151.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1088 y․

Gandzak as the Seat of Aghvank Catholicoses. When Arab War-Lord Bugha conquered Gandzak in 1088, Catholicos Stepanos had to leave the city, finding refuge in Vahanavank (Vahan Monastery), Syunik.

The Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa. Translated from the Original Armenian with a Commentary and Introduction by Ara Edmond Dostourian. University Press of America (Lanham. New York. London), 1993, p. 254.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1103 — 1104 yy․

Gandzak as the Seat of Aghvank Catholicoses. Between 1103 and 1104, Stepanos’ brother was ordained Catholicos in Gandzak.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1195 y․

Gandzak as the Seat of Aghvank Catholicoses. In 1195 Catholicos Hovhannes’ (1195 to 1235) ordination took place in the city: “And he was taken to ruler of Gandzak City Emir Omar so that the latter would allow him to be ordained Catholicos.”

History of Armenia by Kirakos Gandzaketsy. Prepared for publication by Melik-Ohanjanian K. Yerevan, 1961, p. 181, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

Vicarate
1822 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Khachatur served as vicar of Gandzak in 1822.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, pp. 26-27 (all the archive documents referred to in this work are in the Armenian language except when the language of the original is specially mentioned).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1838 — 1841 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Bishop Harutiun (Artem) Ter-Barseghian Poghossiants (born in 1796), who served between 1838 and 1841, contributed to the restoration of Sanahin Monastery (in present-day Lori Marz of the Republic of Armenia), in 1836. Leaving his post of Yelizavetpol vicar, he worked as the spiritual leader of Shaki Diocese and Jalet Monastery, Boon Aghvank (Caspian or Caucasian Albania lying on the left bank of the river Kur), between 1842 and 1844.

National Archives of Armenia, fund Պ 56, list 12, file 533.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1845 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Vardan Odznetsy is mentioned as vicar of Gandzak in 1845.

Caucasian Calendar for 1846, Tiflis, 1845, p. 192 (the original language of all the materials submitted is Russian).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1849 — 1854 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Sargis Davtiants “was appointed vicar of Yelizavetpol District by Catholicos of All Armenians Nerses, holding that post from 29 August 1849 till 1854.” Later he also served as Father Superior of Charek Monastery, Getabek District.

Caucasian Calendar for 1851, Tiflis, 1850, p. 40.
Caucasian Calendar for 1853, Tiflis, 1852, p. 543.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, p. 38.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1856 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. In 1856 Yelizavetpol Vicarate was in process of certain administrative, territorial and other changes.

Caucasian Calendar for 1857, Tiflis, 1856, p. 548.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1858 — 1860 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Karapet Ter-Hovhannissiants, mentioned in 1858, had already died by the year 1860.

Caucasian Calendar for 1859, Tiflis, 1858, p. 468.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list1, file 3833, pp. 122-123.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 12.

1860 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Grigor Musheghiants, mentioned as vicar of Gandzak in 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863 and 1864, was of some instrumentality in the foundation of a parish school (1862) in the local church of St. Hovhannes.

Caucasian Calendar for 1861, Tiflis, 1860, p. 32.
Caucasian Calendar for 1862, Tiflis, 1861, p. 338.
Caucasian Calendar for 1863, Tiflis, 1862, p. 388.
Caucasian Calendar for 1864, Tiflis, 1863, p. 332.
Caucasian Calendar for 1865, Tiflis, 1864, p. 37.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 33, p. 1.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 12-13.

1865 — 1867 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archbishop Hakob Ter-Avetissiants is mentioned between 1865 and 1867.

Caucasian Calendar for 1866, Tiflis, 1865, p. 43.
Caucasian Calendar for 1868, Tiflis, 1867, p. 16.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1868 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Grigoris Ter-Hakobiants’ service was rather brief, lasting from 1 till 13 May 1868: he also held office between 1887 and 1889.

“Ararat,” 1912, p. 757.
Caucasian Calendar for 1870, Tiflis, 1869, p. 60.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1870 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Grigor Ter-Stepanossian, who led Gandzak Vicarate from at least 1870 till 1874, was one of those struggling against an epidemic raging in the city in 1871 (he is also mentioned in 1872 and 1874).

Caucasian Calendar for 1871, Tiflis, 1870, p. 65.
“Ararat,” 1871, p. 470.
Caucasian Calendar for 1872, Tiflis, 1871, p. 74.
Caucasian Calendar for 1875, Tiflis, 1874, p. 63.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1877 — 1882 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Tadevos Ter-Danieliants, who served as vicar in 1877, 1878 as well as between 1880 and 1881, was promoted to bishop in 1882.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53,list 1, file 3869, p. 56; file 3870, p. 27; file 3872, p. 32; file 3873, p. 27.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 53,list 1, file 3874, p. 32.
Also see Caucasian Calendar for 1883, Tiflis, 1882, p. 83.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1883 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Anania Hamazaspiants (1883 to 1885) is mentioned as vicar of Gandzak in 1883 in connection with the consecration (23 November) of Getashen’s (Khanlar District) newly-erected church. Some sources also make reference to him in 1885.

“Meghu Hayastani,” 1883, No. 121, 29 December, in Armenian.
Also see National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3875, pp. 56-57.
Caucasian Calendar for 1884, Tiflis, 1883, p. 79.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 53,list1, file 3877, p. 29.
Caucasian Calendar for 1886, Tiflis, 1885, p. 77.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1869 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. After an interval of some years, Archimandrite Grigoris Ter-Hakobian (1869, 1887 to 1889) resumed the post of vicar on 9 June 1887, holding it till 14 September 1889 (he died on 7 June 1912).

“Ararat,” 1912, pp. 757-758.
Caucasian Calendar for 1888, Tiflis, 1887, p. 147.
Caucasian Calendar for 1889, Tiflis, 1888, p. 195.
Caucasian Calendar for 1890, Tiflis, 1889, p. 198.
“Ararat,” 1912, pp. 757-758.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1890 — 1891 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Bishop Grigoris Aghvaniants is mentioned between 1890 and 1891.

Caucasian Calendar for 1891, Tiflis, 1890, p. 263.
Caucasian Calendar for 1892, Tiflis, 1891, p. 294.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1892 — 1896 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Poghos Ter-Margariants, who was appointed vicar in 1892, is mentioned between 1893 and 1894 (he consigned his soul to God on 2 November 1896).

“Ararat,” 1896, p. 552.
Caucasian Calendar for 1894, Tiflis, 1893, p. 324.
Caucasian Calendar for 1895, Tiflis, 1894, p. 342.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1894 — 1895 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archbishop Garegin Satunian, who served between 1894 and 1895 (later the leader of Artsakh Diocese), is known to have organized fund-raising for the accomplishment of a school in Getashen.

“Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 193, p. 3, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1895 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Hovhannes Shirakuny is known to have held the post of Gandzak vicar in 1895.

Caucasian Calendar for 1896, Tiflis, 1895, p. 362.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1896 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Bagrat Tavakaliants held office in 1896, 1897 and 1898.

Caucasian Calendar for 1897, Tiflis, 1896, p. 382.
Caucasian Calendar for 1898, Tiflis, 1897, p. 425.
Caucasian Calendar for 1899, Tiflis, 1898, p. 425.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1900 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Bishop Anania Hamazaspiants, who had come into service in at least 1900, consecrated a newly-built church in Ghazakh in 1901: “On New Sunday (8 April), the solemn blessing of Ghazakh’s newly-erected Armenian church took place, Gandzak vicar, Bishop Anania, officiating at the ceremony together with ten priests...” Anania Hamazaspiants, who dedicated another sanctuary, i.e. Helenendorf’s chapel, in 1902, also served in 1903.

Caucasian Calendar for 1901, Tiflis, 1900, p. 458.
“Mshak,” 1901, No. 87, p. 3, in Armenian.
Caucasian Calendar for 1902, Tiflis, 1901, p. 458.
“Ararat,” 1902, pp. 761, 984.
Caucasian Calendar for 1903, Tiflis, 1902, p. 471.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 12, p. 31.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1903 — 1904 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Benik held office between 1903 and 1904.

Caucasian Calendar for 1904, Tiflis, 1903, p. 494.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 12, p. 47.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1905 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Sahak Baghdasarian was appointed vicar in 1905.

“Ararat,” 1905, p. 497.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1905 y․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite Koryun Sahakiants, appointed vicar in 1905, held that post in 1906 and 1907.

“Ararat,” 1905, p. 780.
Caucasian Calendar for 1906, Tiflis, 1905, p. 293.
Caucasian Calendar for 1907, Tiflis, 1906, p. 304.
Caucasian Calendar for 1908, Tiflis, 1907, p. 303.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

1910 — 1926 yy․

Gandzak Vicarate. Archimandrite (Bishop) Levon Pserian, who was appointed vicar in 1910 and resigned in 1926, blessed the foundations of the pilgrimage site of St. Sargis, located in Koryunapat Quarter of Gandzak City, in 1914.

“Ararat,” 1910, p. 586.
Also see National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2644, p. 21.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2644, p. 21.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 13.

Population
19 c․

August Haxthausen (1792 to 1866), an ethnographer and an official from Prussia who visited Gandzak in the ‘50s of the 19th century, writes, “Gandzak District is inhabited by the Armenians and the Tartars, the former dwelling in the mountains and the latter in the fertile plains. The Armenians are mainly engaged in farming and gardening (they grow wheat, barley, millet, maize and flax), while the Tartars’ main occupation is stock-breeding: the majority of the latter is lazy but rich, whereas the former, on the contrary, are very hard-working. The Turkish villages are rather large, unlike the Armenian ones that comprise a small number of houses...”

Baron August von Haxthausen’s Travel in Transcaucasia, i.e. in Armenia and Georgia. Vagharshapat, 1872, pp. 164-165, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 13-14.

Monuments
1864 y․

Meves, who travelled in Gandzak Province in 1864, attests to the Armenian origin of a wealth of monuments preserved there: “While walking in the mountains of the province, I often came across...the traces of some Christian villages. It was simply impossible to cover ten versts without seeing church ruins which, to tell the truth, did not boast fine architectural features. All of them were built of pebble and cement, which had consolidated the stones to such an extent that they could hardly be torn away from those ruins. They belonged to the Christian (probably, Armenian) inhabitants of the province, now considered a Muslim one. These monuments attested that the mountainous parts of the region, now reduced to an encampment, used to be a blessed place of residence for some sedentary farmers. The nomads, however, forced them into abandoning those areas... The ruins of the Christian villages proved that they had once enjoyed development, prosperity and the abundance of working hands, but that is consigned to the past now...”

Meves, V. Articles on Yelizavetpol District. In: “Kavkaz,” 1865, No. 46, p. 249 (the original reads, “Во время поездок по горам уезда - мне часто попадались следы поселений, как видно, христианских. Нельзя проехать десяти верст, чтобы не встретить развалин церквей, правда, самой грубой архитектуры. Все эти церкви сложены из булыжного камня на каком то цементе, связывающем камни так крепко, что до сих пор с трудом можно вынуть камень из развалины. Эти развалины, - исторические памятники многочисленного христианского населения, вероятно армянского, в провинции, называемой теперь мусульманскою. Эти памятники свидельствуют еще и о том, что нагорная сторона уезда, превращена теперь в кочевки, была когда то лучшим местом для оседлой жизни земледельцев. А теперь что? Теперь номад выжил хлебороба!... Развалины христианских деревень доказывают, что здесь был и разум, и умение, и труд, да только давно...”).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 20.

Another researcher, N. Abelian, almost shares Meves’ views: “The monuments of Armenian architecture, i.e. the churches scattered in the Muslim villages, located in the upper-stream reaches of the rivers Gandzak and Shamkor, are engraved with Armenian inscriptions dating back to the 16th century. They are eloquent proof of the great number of the Armenians once inhabiting these lands: they also attest to the large-scale emigration of the local Armenians.” A visitor writes the following concerning the state of the aforementioned monuments, “At present some of these churches lie in dilapidation and, regretful as it is, they serve as cattle-houses for the Muslim Ayrums of the neighbourhood.”

Abelov, N. A. A Study of the Economic Conditions of State Peasantry in Yelizavetpol District of Yelizavetpol Province. A reprint from Materials for the Study of the Economic Conditions of State Peasantry in Transcaucasia, vol. 7, Tiflis, 1887, p. 14 (the original reads, “Церкви армянской архитектуры, с армянскими надписями XVI века, ныне во множестве разбросанныя по мусульманским селениям, у верховьев рек Ганджа-чай и Шамхор-чай, свидетельствуют, как значительно было здесь армянское население и как велики были некогта массовыя переселения отсюда армян...”). Ibid. (the original reads, “Некоторыя из этих церквей стоят ныне в развалинах и, печально сказать, скотными дворами для живущих вблизи айрумов-мусульман.”).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 20.

The available statistical data regarding the Armenian population of Gandzak District as of the second half of the 19th century represent the following picture:

Dates	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1853	6583	6232	12813		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 2743, pp. 16-18; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 14.
1857	6674	6321	13111		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3830, pp. 74-76; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 14.
1863	7313	6798	14111		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3843, pp. 15-16; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 14.
1889	20881	19540	40421		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 8583, pp. 238-239; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 14.
1893	15580	14488	30068		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3895, pp. 77-79; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 14.