St. Stepanos Nakhavka (the Pre-Martyr) Monastery :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

St. Stepanos Nakhavka (the Pre-Martyr) Monastery

Iran / Atrpatakan / Maku / Darashamb

Location

The monastery is located in Vaspourakan Province of Historical Armenia, which today lies in the north of the Iranian province of Azerbaidjan, (Atrpatagan in Armenian). It is located 18 kilometres to the west of the town of Julfa on a slope leading towards the river Arax.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 19.

Historical Introduction
1695 y․

1729 y․

1759 y․

1765 y․

1767 y․

1780 y․

1782 y․

1787 y․

19 c․

1826 y․

1830 y․

One of the first written records about the monastery is dated 966. It is an inscription from the monastery, which later served as a socle for a glass cross in memory of Shushan and her son, King Ashot. The Holy Cross was later moved to St Etchmiadzin.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 20-21.

976 y․

In an encyclical by Catholicos Khachik Ardzrouni in the year 976 Bartholomew the Apostle is mentioned as the founder of the monastery. Therein are also specified the land boundaries and the tax status of the monastery.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 21.

976 y․

About the same time King Ashot Bagratouni the Merciful issued a dedicatory epistle where the parishes of Maghard Monastery are mentioned.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 21.

1143 y․

During the llth century Seljuk rule, information about the monastery is scarce. In 1143, however, Stephan Orbelian gave details of the activities within the monastery and mentions Father Barsegh (Basil) as the Father Superior of the monastery.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 21.

1889 y․

1178 y․

On other occasions historical sources mention the depository of manuscripts and library of the monastery. An ivory-backed gospel bearing the date 1178 together with the inscription of "Monastery of Stepannos Nakhavka" today can be found in the library of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 21-22.

13 — 15 cc․

There is a continuous scarcity of information about the monastery during the Mongol rule in Armenia (13th to 15th centuries).

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 22.

In 1270 Vardan Bardzrberdtsi mentioned the monastery in one of his studies. A decree (1330) issued by Mongol ruler Abu Said IIkhan mentions the monastery estates.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 22.

15 c․

The preserved manuscripts, encyclicals and epistles give us, without notable interruption, the continuous historical picture of the monastery from the 15th century to our times.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 22-23.

1893 y․

1427 y․

In 1427 Grigor Aknetsi mentions the monastery with its three churches and qualifies them as "famous."

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 23.

1895 y․

19 c․

17 c․

As a result of the lengthy hostilities between the Ottoman Empire and Persia and the subsequent forced resettlement of Nakhichevan Armenians in Persia during the 17th century, the monastery faced serious financial problems.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 23.

1614 — 1631 yy․

An encyclical dated 1614 by Melikset Catholicos and an epistle dated 1631 issued by Catholicos Movses III Tatevatsi formally give authority to the monastery to raise funds among the faithful for the preservation of the spiritual centre.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 23.

1900 y․

1903 y․

1904 y․

1905 y․

1906 y․

1759 — 1780 yy․

The very same year and later in 1780 Hagop Shamakhetsi and Ghoukas (Lucas) Catholicos confirmed the financial problems faced by the monastery in their encyclicals.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 25.

1908 y․

1828 y․

The Russo-Persian hostilities ended in 1828 under the Treaty of Turkmenchai. By virtue of this treaty the river Arax became the international border between the two countries.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 25.

1914 y․

Since the monastery had been deprived of the support of its tax-paying flock which had appeared on the other side of the frontier, Persian Shah Fatali and his Regent Abbas Mirza gave it the lands of the Armenian-inhabited village of Darashamb.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 25-26.

1917 y․

1917 — 1920 yy․

Between the years 1917 and 1920 on four different occasions, the Turkish inhabitants plundered the monastery and set the library on fire.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 26-27.

1921 y․

After the First World War, a number of Armenians from Darashamb Village returned to their ancestral homes. A few families chose to settle within the confines of the monastery. In 1948-1949 some of these families were repatriated to Armenia, while the others chose to move to Tabriz.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 27.

1941 y․

1948 y․

In his letter to Catholicos of All Armenians Gevorg Chorekchian dated 1948, Father Tigran Darbinian gives detailed description of the damages inflicted on the monastery, the famine and the sufferings of the villagers.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 27.

1942 y․

1947 y․

1951 y․

1960 y․

2005 y․

1769 y․

1871 y․

981 y․

1736 y․

649 y․

1148 y․

13 c․

1330 y․

1376 y․

1381 y․

1395 y․

1418 y․

1428 y․

15 c․

1475 y․

1504 y․

1506 y․

1541 y․

1545 y․

1564 y․

1587 y․

17 c․

16 — 17 cc․

17 c․

1636 y․

1660 y․

1668 y․

Scriptoria
649 y․

1363 y․

1381 y․

1427 y․

1430 y․

1440 y․

1484 y․

1485 y․

1507 y․

1545 y․

1551 y․

1562 y․

1594 y․

1601 y․

1625 y․

1627 y․

1648 y․

1655 y․

1663 y․

1670 y․

1671 y․

1675 y․

1670 y․

1685 y․

1686 y․

1690 y․

1703 y․

1705 y․

1711 y․

1724 y․

1736 y․

1710 y․

1758 y․

1807 y․

1675 y․

Geographical Environment

The monastery was built at the foot of Mount Maghard, in a place covered with trees. On the north of the monastery across the Arax river rises the rocky and arid mountain range of Goghtan.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 19.

The chapel of Saint Andre' the Son lies on the left side of the road leading from Julfa to the monastery. The Armenian cemetery of Old Julfa, with hundreds of old and unique khachkars (cross stones) which are as tall as a man lies on the northern bank of the Arax river across the monastery. The architecture of this cemetery as a whole is considered a unique example of the late medieval Armenian masonry.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 19.

Architectural Description
1860 y․

The Monastery buildings are grouped in two internal courtyards, the whole complex is square in shape and is equipped with fortifications having semi-rotunda towers. The main entrance is located on the West within the exterior recess whereby the complex is divided into two. The Monastery is made up of three sections. The middle section is the entrance, which leads to the main hall from where a stairway leads to an arched kitchen with four columns. On either side of the stairway lie the two floors with various rooms, which act as larders and food storing facilities.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 27-29.

The church of Stepannos Nakhavka is located in the centre of the northern part of the monastery. The single nave church of St. Paul and St. Peter with its slate-covered arches was later built adjacent to the main church in the area between the church and the fortification walls.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 29.

The bell-tower is located to the south of the main church. The first two floors of the bell-tower are square shaped and the third floor is made of eight arched columns that support the capped cupola. The cells adjacent to the eastern walls are monks' cells.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 29.

In the southern courtyard of the complex there are two-storied monks' cells. Next to them are the Father Superior's quarters and the library. The hall of Vahan Mamikonian and the refectory are situated to the east.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 29.

The exterior of the church is faced with polished tufa stone of light and dark brown colour. The interior is brick covered with lime aggregate.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 29.

From the exterior the church looks square but inside it is cross shaped and three apsed, with a central dome. The side apses are seven pillared and the vestries in the two corners are two storied.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 29-30.

The central drum of the church has 16 facets and is covered with a fan-shaped capped dome.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 30.

The exterior facades of the church are divided into two sections by means of interwoven, ornamental stripes. The western facade differs from the others by having three recesses, which are capped by arches and semi-circular stripes. The decorative khachkars donated by the church benefactors and pilgrims are installed in the two outside recesses. The central recess leads to the main entrance of the church with its elaborately carved wooden door donated by the population of the town of Agulis.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 30.

Scores of khachkars decorate the eastern and southern walls of the church.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 30.

On the eastern faaade, the altar ogive is framed by decorative carvings above which one can see an important carving relating to the monastery, that of the stoning of St Stepannos Nakhavka. The eastern faaade ends with carvings of roses and an eagle - the guardian of the monastery. Viewing from a distance, the attention is drawn to the dome of the church, which dominates the monastery complex.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 30.

The 16-hedral drum and the interconnecting arches are rich in decorative carvings, khachkars, roses and angels, in particular with the carved statues of the 16 saints.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 30.

These consist of the carvings of Jesus Christ on the western column, John the Baptist on the eastern, Mary Mother of God on the northern and St. Gregory the Illuminator on the southern columns. The 12 apostles are carved on the remaining columns.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 30-31.

Stone crosses seat on the corners of the fan shaped cupola.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 31.

19 c․

The interior of the church is plastered and bears the remains of 19th-century frescoes.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 31.

1668 y․

1830 y․

1842 y․

Means of Communication

1960 y․

1969 y․

1973 y․

Foundation

The exact date of establishment of the monastery is not known.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 20.

As tradition has it, the monastery was founded by Bartholomew the Apostle himself, who was preaching in the town of Nakhichevan, then located in Aghbak District of Vaspourakan Province of Armenia.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 20.

Earthquakes
1759 y․

1840 y․

1759 y․

In 1759 under the rule of Father Michael, an earthquake destroyed the roof of the church, damaged the cells and wrecked the southern side of the fortifications.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 25.

1975 y․

Repairs
18 c․

18 c․

1986 — 1987 yy․

1826 y․

1864 y․

981 y․

The will of King Ashot's daughter, written in 981, mentions the churches of St Mary Mother of God, St. George and St. Stepannos, which were reconstructed according to the royal decree issued by her father.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 21.

1865 y․

1890 y․

17 c․

According to 17th-century historian Arakel Davrizhetsi, the monastery was in such a state of disrepair that the Superior was compelled to rebuild the whole church and renovate different parts of the complex. Furthermore, he installed pipes to bring drinking water to the monastery from a nearby spring. This large-scale construction lasted 12 years. An inscription on the northern corner of the eastern wall of the church mentions that. The present state of both the monastery and the church are the result of these reconstruction efforts.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 23-25.

The Monastery Superiors Hovhannes, Petros and Hagop Shambetsi undertook further construction. The western fortifications of the monastery and the bell-tower as well as the refectory and the monks' cells were re-built.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 25.

1826 y․

In 1826, during the leadership of Father Superior Sarkis, the interior of the church was renovated and adorned with frescoes by Nagash Hovnathan.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 25.

1910 y․

1840 — 1866 yy․

In 1840 the bell-tower was once again damaged by an earthquake, being repaired in 1845. The church roof underwent further repairs between 1865 and 1866.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 26.

1983 y․

Since 1983 the Iranian State Agency "Mirase Farhangi" (Cultural Heritage) has made funds available for the renovation of the monastery. The church roof as well as the cells have been renovated. Paris-based Armenian "Land and Culture Organisation-LCO" (Tern et Culture - OTC) has been relentlessly warning everyone about the precarious state of the monastery and the urgent necessity of raising funds for its restoration.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 27.

1968 y․

1985 y․

1996 y․

976 y․

17 c․

1654 y․

1643 y․

1655 y․

1684 y․

Economic Life
1819 y․

1826 y․

Priors
1633 y․

In 1633 Hagop Jughayetsi was installed as the Father Superior of the monastery.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 23.

Estates
976 y․

976 y․

1330 y․

1475 y․

1541 y․

1556 y․

1562 y․

1604 y․

1614 y․

1631 y․

1670 y․

1676 y․

1680 y․

17 c․

1681 y․

1682 y․

1688 y․

1691 y․

1692 y․

1693 y․

1697 y․

1706 y․

1708 y․

1714 y․

1718 y․

1722 y․

1724 y․

1728 y․

1732 y․

1746 y․

1748 y․

1750 y․

1765 y․

1772 y․

1774 y․

1776 y․

1779 y․

1780 y․

1794 y․

1818 y․

1828 y․

1830 y․

1831 y․

1847 y․

1870 y․

1889 y․

1890 y․

1900 y․

1903 y․

1904 y․

1909 y․

1910 y․

1911 y․

1960 y․

Description
1819 y․

A church built in the 17th to 18th centuries is the only structure still standing where lie the remains of Darachamb Village. It was located three kilometres west of the monastery, in a place where the river Tghmut (now called Akchay) flows into the Arax.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 19.

1890 y․

1891 y․

1668 y․

Catholicoi
1655 y․

In 1655 Hagop Jughayetsi was elected as Catholicos of All Armenians and moved to St. Etchmiadzin.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 25.

Relics
1668 y․

Lapidary Inscriptions

Research Materials

1967 y․

1974 y․

Donations
1831 y․

1739 y․

1830 y․

1173 y․

1332 y․

1440 y․

1454 y․

1459 y․

1615 y․

1660 y․

1671 y․

1679 y․

1697 y․

1775 y․

Manuscripts
15 — 16 cc․

The Manuscript Depository (Matenadaran) of Yerevan as well as the library of New Julfa have many manuscripts produced in the monastery of St. Stepannos Nakhavka and dating from the 15th to 16th centuries. These testify to a monastic environment where intellectual and spiritual activities were earnestly pursued.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 23.

1819 y․

1848 y․

1871 y․

1870 y․

1904 y․

1911 y․

Other Names

Gavazanagirk (List of Catholicoi)

976 — 981 yy․

1173 y․

13 c․

1330 y․

1332 y․

1376 y․

1381 y․

1440 y․

1485 y․

1505 — 1506 yy․

1507 y․

1541 y․

1562 — 1563 yy․

1563 y․

1587 y․

1594 y․

1601 — 1614 yy․

1631 y․

1663 — 1680 yy․

1677 — 1703 yy․

1690 y․

1699 — 1700 yy․

1703 — 1712 yy․

1712 — 1732 yy․

1732 y․

1739 — 1740 yy․

1746 — 1763 yy․

1763 — 1787 yy․

1791 y․

1819 — 1840 yy․

1848 y․

1864 y․

1870 y․

1882 y․

1889 — 1890 yy․

1891 y․

1894 y․

1895 — 1901 yy․

1903 y․

1905 y․

1935 y․

1947 — 1949 yy․

Congregation

1440 y․

1679 y․

1697 y․

1840 — 1850 yy․

Restoration
1973 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 966 y․

This Holy Cross [stands] in memory of Armenian King Hovhannes, his spouse, lady Shushan, and his son King Ashot. I came to the holy monastery with a great army... In our memory and in memory of our parents. In the year 966.

The Armenian original taken from: Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. StepannosNakhavka, pp. 20-21.

Fresco

Relief, High Relief

Type Photo
View General
Direction From the south-west
Author Armen Hakhnazarian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1970 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Armen Hakhnazarian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1976 — 1980 yy․

Type Photo
View Interior
Author Armen Hakhnazarian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1970 y․

Inner view of the church tambour

Type Photo
View General
Author Armen Hakhnazarian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1976 — 1980 yy․

Type Photo
View Detail
Author Armen Hakhnazarian
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1976 — 1980 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Tamanian's archives
Source Black-and-white negative

Type Photo
View Detail
Author Tamanian's archives
Source Black-and-white negative

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Tamanian's archives
Source Colour Negative

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Armen Hakhnazarian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1976 — 1980 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Armen Hakhnazarian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1976 — 1980 yy․

Type Photo
View Interior
Author Armen Hakhnazarian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1976 — 1980 yy․