Sourb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church

NKR / Tartar / Begum-Sarov

Historical Introduction
1846 y․

The Holy Virgin (Surb Astvatzatzin) church of Sarov was first mentioned in 1846 (in regard of some theft).

SCHARA, F. 56, L. 1, c. 2124, p. 1 (in Arm.).
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 201.

1887 y․

We are also informed that on 24 March 1887 the church was robbed again. Later three manuscripts, called “Metz Pap” were discovered in the neighboring Maralian Sarov village and returned to the church.

"Nor Dar", 1887, N 55, p. 1. (in Arm.).
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 201.

1888 y․

In 1988 Yesayee Sargsian, resident of Sarov donated a bell, which was bought in Moscow for 150 rubles, the deed is still preserved.

"Nor Dar", 1888, N 188, N 167 p. 3. (in Arm.).
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 201.

Repairs
1890 y․

The church had been damaged in 1890 already so the residents decided “... to fundamentally renovate the decayed church at their own cost.” Permit to begin the work was received on 2 January 1891. The building material was accumulated by 1892. The roof and the northern wall of the church collapsed after the pouring rains of Sept. 20 of the same year and it was a time demand for the residents of Sarov to build the church anew.

"Nor Dar", 1888, N 188, N 167 p. 3. (in Arm.);
SCHARA, F. 56, L. 1, c. 8584, pp. 34-35 (in Arm.);
"Nor Dar", 1890, N 122, p. 3; N 148, p. 3. (in Arm.);
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 201.

Description
1895 y․

The solemn ceremony of the anointment of the church foundations took place on Oct. 25, in the presence of the priests, invited from the Chaylu and Maragha villages. The reconstructed church opened its doors to the residents of Sarov in 1895. The press reports of that period informed: “This is the fourth year already that the residents of Sarov undertook to the erection of a new church in stead of the old one. We may now state, that the subcontractor of building works Mr. Melik-Gharagyozian, of Shushi, completed the construction of the new church in time. The church pillars, and their bases - over 1 arshin higher than the ground, the altar and external corners are made of finely processed stone, brought by carts from the vicinities of the Ksapat village, 45 verstas away... The roof, which shall be covered by tin, and the bell tower over the southern entrance, the construction of which was entrusted to another mason for 600 rubles, are still incomplete. The church of Sarov has cost the people about 16,000 rubles. This newly erected church was anointed on Feb. 29, by bishop Karapet. The ceremony was smart...” Present on the ceremony of anointment were the governor of the province Mr. Rafibekov, his assistant - A. Melik-Pashayan, the chairman of the Arbitration Court of the province - I. Rusovich, other beks and land owners and the people of the entire neighborhood (Turks included). Bishop Barkhutariants who had eye witnessed the ceremony, wrote: “The new church is beautiful, all the corner stones and arches are made of processed stone, its dimensions are 22 m 28 cm and the width is 12 m 35 cm.”

"Nor Dar", 1890, N 168, p. 2. (in Arm.).
"Nor Dar", 1895, N 36, p. 2. (in Arm.).
M. Bishop Barkhutariants, Artsakh, Baku, 1895, p. 33.
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 201.