Sourb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church 1881 y․

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Shamkhor / Chardakhlu

Historical Introduction
1844 y․

In 1844 the village had a stone church which was probably.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3809, p. 73.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 475.

1871 — 1872 yy․

In reduced to a dilapidated state in the course of the subsequent decades. In the early 1870s, the local inhabitants embarked upon the foundation of a new, larger one. They carried on its construction with their own means between 1871 and 1872, the building being completed in 1872 and dedicated to Sourb Astvatzatzin: “The village has a magnificent church erected in 1872...”
This is also attested by the construction inscription of the monument, which follows below.

“Nor-Dar,” 1896, No. 77, p. 2.
Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 321.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 475.

1871 y․

Some years later, a press publication stated, “...they have two parish priests and a splendid stone church built in 1871 at an estimated 4,500 rubles...”

“Nor-Dar,” 1889, No. 197, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 476.

1890 y․

Taking into consideration the populousness of Chardakhlu, in 1890 Mkrtich Shahgedaniants, mentioned above, intended to build another church there in memory of his father, but it was not carried out.

“Ardzagank,” 1890, No. 8, p. 4.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 476.

20 c․

The early 20th century found Sourb Astvatzatzin in a state of total disrepair. Taking into account this fact, on 20 July 1903, the villagers unanimously decided to apply to Gandzak’s spiritual authorities: “...taking into consideration our grave financial predicament and the decrepit state of our church, we have made up our minds to turn to the Supreme Church Powers through Gandzak’s spiritual authorities to be allocated 2,000 rubles out of the general church budget for the tiling of its roof and the construction of a vestibule... The former is highly endangered, as its tiles have broken, exposing it to rain and snow... It is also necessary to plaster the interior of the church... all this work will cost an estimated 2,000 rubles, 1,243 rubles 36 kopecks of which are meant for the urgent repairs of the roof...”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 1246.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 476.

1913 y․

An archive document of 1913 reveals that the renovation of Sourb Astvatzatzin Church was delayed, as a result of which its state aggravated even further.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, p. 31.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 476.

Repairs
1914 y․

In 1914 “...the church roof is in bad need of overhaul; otherwise, it may suddenly collapse causing damage to the neighbourhood...” Eventually, Echmiatzin Synod met the petition of Chardakhlu Armenians, ordering that “...Gandzak’s spiritual powers allow the parishioners to spend 1,550 rubles out of the church budget for the repairs of the monument...”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3457, pp. 1-4.
“Ararat,” 1914, p. 880.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 476.

Historical Introduction
1928 y․

The Soviet Government closed the church in 1928.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2658, p. 12.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 476.

Description
1988 y․

In 1988 it still stood intact and served as a storehouse.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 476.

Architectural Description

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church (exterior dimensions: 23.65 x 12.75 metres) represents a tri-nave basilica of rectangular plan, with its only entrance opening from its southern facade. The vault, lying below a gable roof, is inwardly supported by vault-bearing arches resting on three pairs of pillars and pilasters. The central nave ends in a semi-circular apse and the aisles in rectangular sacristies in the east. Each of the eastern, western and southern facades of the monument has three narrow windows widening inside and providing it with illumination together with another opening from the western facade. The font is in its traditional place. The church, whose roof is tiled, is built of undressed stone and mortar, but its columns, pilasters, false arches as well as the entrance tympanum and cornerstones are finely-cut.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 477.

Priests
1894 — 1908 yy․

Gevorg Ter-Stepanossian Manassiants, a graduate of Tiflis’ Nersissian School (ordained on 12 February 1894), is mentioned between 1894 and 1908. He taught Religion at the parish school of Chardakhlu in 1895 and at the local two-year public school beginning with 1899.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 12, pp. 72-74.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 477.

1908 y․

In 1908 Gevorg Ter-Stepanossian performed priestly duties together with Makar Ter-Stepanossiants.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 817, p. 7.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 477.

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

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

Its construction inscription

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

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

The entrance of the church opening from its southern facade

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Hovhannes Zakarian
Source Colour Negative

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

The plan of Sourb Astvatzatzin Church