St. Pepronia Church :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

St. Pepronia Church

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Dashkesan / Pib

Architectural Description
1886 y․

In 1886 a visitor wrote the following about a church standing in the village site, that had turned into a winter encampment, “…it has a well-built, large stone church whose walls are 3.5 arshins wide.”

“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 23, p. 330.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 214.

Historical Introduction
1885 y․

According to an archive document of 1885, the sanctuary was dedicated to Holy Virgin Pepronia.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3877, p. 29.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 214.

Architectural Description

It was distinguished for its large dimensions which, indeed, speaks of the existence of a once prospering populous village in that area. With this regard, a record states, “...the church, resting on two arches, stands intact. Two openings, serving as secret closets, can be seen on the right and left of its main bema. This magnificent sanctuary is 26 metres 35 centimetres long and 12 metres 70 centimetres wide, the thickness of its walls amounting to 2 metres 40 centimetres.”

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 300.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 214.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction

Carved on the entrance tympanum:
By the will of God, we, the inhabitants of Pib, built this church with united efforts in the days of Catholicos Petros and Murtuza Ghuli Khan, with Archimandrite Sargis supporting us. May you pray for village head Vardanes and his spouse Maria.
The Armenian original published in: “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 23, p. 330; Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 301; Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 311.
Note: The “Ardzagank” refers to ‘Pib’ as ‘Pab’ in its decipherment of the inscription. The inscription dates back to the days of Aghvank Catholicos Petros (1653 to 1675).

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 214.

Type Copied Lapidary Inscription
Author Samvel Karapetian
Date 2015 y․

Type Photo
Author Aram Ohanian

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1670 y․

Engraved on the font:
May you remember Tzatur and his spouse Maria in your prayers, in the year 1670.
The Armenian original published in: “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 23, p. 330; Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 300; Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 311.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 214.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration

Incised into the wall right of the altar:
May you pray for priests of this church Fathers Voskan [and] Yeghi. May you pray for Mkhitar.
The Armenian original published in: “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 23, p. 330.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 214.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration

Inscribed on the entrance of the northern vestry:
May you pray for Gorki and Tzatur ... Arakeal and his son Hovhan.
The Armenian original published in: Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, pp. 300-301.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 214.

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