St. Gregory the Enlightener Church :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church 1887 — 1895 yy․

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Shamkhor / Barsum

Historical Introduction

A great number of sources dating from the period anterior to 1886 (1849, 1852, 1862, 1877, 1882 and 1886) make reference to a wooden church (indeed, its wooden roof is meant) standing in Barsum.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97; file 3819, p. 106; file 3836, p. 58; file 3869, pp. 55-56; file 3874, p. 30.
“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 307.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 464.

1860 y․

In 1860 the church is mentioned by the name of Sourb Astvatzatzin.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3834, pp. 22-23.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 464.

1861 y․

In 1861 the monument is mentioned as dedicated to St. Gevorg.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 148-149.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 464.

1887 y․

In 1887 Priest Yeprem Melik-Arustamiants embarked upon the construction of a new, stone church which, however, remained incomplete for lack of means. A press publication of 1893 states the following with this regard, “...The village has a wooden church which is on the verge of collapse. ...The priest has undertaken the foundation of a magnificent edifice of finely-dressed stone which has not been accomplished yet, despite the fact that an estimated 3,000 rubles have already been spent on it...”

“Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 47, p. 3. A record of 1895 states the following with this regard, “Our present-day church is in an absolutely inconsolable state... Several kind-hearted people embarked upon the construction of a new one and erected part of its walls, but unfortunately, they failed to complete it due to the lack of means...” (“Nor-Dar,” 1895, No. 216, p. 3).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 464-465.

1895 y․

According to a five-line inscription carved on the facade-bearing stone of the northern entrance of the church, its construction lasted for 8 years. In 1895 it was consecrated after St. Grigor Lusavorich.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 165.

1895 y․

Although this inscription attests that the church was completed in 1895, a press publication of 1902 reveals that its construction was still underway: “The church, however, still needs to be plastered and paved; besides, it is bare of any decoration, icons as well as any necessary utensils and articles in general...”

“Mshak,” 1902, No. 130, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

1902 y․

By the year 1902, 8,000 rubles had already been spent on the erection of the building, the local inhabitants finding it hard to repay their debt of 2,000 rubles.

“Mshak,” 1902, No. 130, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

Repairs
1911 y․

On 21 April 1911, the residents of Barsum applied to Gandzak’s spiritual powers for permission “...to brick the floor of St. Grigor Lusavorich Church and whitewash its walls through their own means.” On 9 May, their petition was met on provision that the expenses should not exceed 260 rubles 50 kopecks.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 1268, p. 30, 32.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

Architectural Description

St. Grigor Lusavorich represents a tri-nave basilica (exterior dimensions: 22 x 11.35 metres) of rectangular plan, with a semi-circular eastern apse adjoined by sacristies. The vault of the prayer hall, resting on three pairs of pillars and pilasters, lies below a gable roof. The church has a double-storey belfry which abuts on it in the north. It is sustained by four pillars on the first floor and six others on the second. The entire monument is built of rough stone and mortar, except for its columns, pilasters, vault-bearing arches and cornerstones which are finely-cut. It has two entrances, northern and southern, the former opening into the first floor of the belfry. The font is preserved in its traditional place, adjoined by some finely-decorated khachkars and tombstones with reliefs of scenes from everyday life.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

Historical Introduction
1579 y․

A manuscript Gospel dating back to 1579 was kept in the church of St. Grigor Lusavorich.

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 318.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

1927 y․

It functioned until 1927.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2658, p. 12.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

Priests
1849 y․

In 1849 the spiritual authorities approved Father Barsegh’s appointment as the spiritual shepherd of Barsum.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

1861 y․

In 1861 priests of Pib Petros Ter-Vardaniants, Sahak Ter-Kirakossiants and Poghos Mamikoniants served the local community.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 148-149.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

Among the parish priests of the village, special mention should be made of Yeprem Grigorian Melik-Arustamiants, who was ordained in St. Grigor Lusavorich Church of Gandzak by Bishop Thaddaeus Ter-Danielian on 11 September 1882 and held his post until at least 1911. On 12 April 1885, “...he proved of immense instrumentality in protecting the rights of the churches and monasteries of Gandzak Diocese and preserving their estates at a time when lands were being measured and set within newly-fixed boundaries throughout Yelizavetpol District.” In September 1885, Yeprem Grigorian raised a sum of 152 rubles in the villages of Gandzak Diocese for the renovation of Tpkhis Patriarchate. Between 1884 and 1890, he served as rural dean of the villages of Gandzak Diocese “...with the uttermost devotion and faithfulness.” Yeprem Grigorian, to whom the inhabitants of Barsum owed the construction of a bridge over the river Shamkor as well as the foundation of St. Grigor Lusavorich Church and the overhaul of some roads, was awarded a small, gilded breast cross by Catholicos of All Armenians Mkrtich Khrimian for his selfless service and enthusiastic work.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 817, p. 7, file 1268, p. 30.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 12, pp. 74-76, 77-78.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 465-466.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction 1887 — 1895 yy․

Carved on the facade-bearing stone of the northern entrance of the church:
This superb church of St. Grigor Lusavorich was built through the means and efforts of Barsum inhabitants. Founded in 1887, it was completed in 1895.
The Armenian original published in: Karapetian, S. The Historical Monuments of Northern Artsakh, p. 6.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 465.

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

A partial view of its western facade

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

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

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

Its double-floor belfry adjoining its northern entrance

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

The plan of St. Grigor Lusavorich Church

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
Sourb Astvatzatzin	1860 y․
St. Gevorg	1861 y․