Sօurb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sօurb Astvatzatzin Church

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Dashkesan / Banants

Location

The oldest church in Banants, Sourb Astvatzatzin is situated in the centre of the village, north of St. Grigor Lusavorich Church built later.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 84.

Historical Introduction
19 c․

According to Father Poghos Yepiskopossiants, in the late 19th century, the monument was in an inconsolable state: “...as a result of the deterioration of its wooden roof, the condition of the village’s ancient church of Sourb Astvatzatzin is worsening day by day. Since its walls partly collapsed last month, people and even animals have been walking there freely, without any obstacles. ... The construction of the cells started in the year 1886 with the means of the sanctuary as well as through the local inhabitants’ and Mr. Yagor Hovhannissiants’ financial support. The latter had made that donation in memory of his brother, Mahtesy Avetik, as well as his sons Alexandre, Sexton Nerses and Hovsep... The building was erected in the site of an older church to meet the villagers’ spiritual needs.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 461, list 1, file 9, p. 161.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 85.

Repairs
1981 y․

In 1981 some repairs were implemented in the church.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 85.

Architectural Description

Sourb Astvatzatzin represents a single-nave vaulted structure (exterior dimensions: 9.64 x 7.40 metres) built of undressed stone and mortar. Its only entrance, which opens from the western facade, bears signs of some changes carried out during its enlargement in the 19th century. The sanctuary, where light penetrates through 2 windows widening inside, has a wide bema, but is devoid of vestries. The abundence of khachkars and tombstones (22 in number according to our estimate), set both in the exterior and interior walls of the church, make it particularly remarkable. The former, amounting to 131, lie everywhere, from the cornices to the niches and windows.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 85-86.

16 — 17 cc․

The stylistic and decorative peculiarities of these memorials, a considerable part of which is inscribed, trace them back to the 16th to 17th centuries.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 86.

Estates
1845 y․

In the year 1845, “...Banants’ Sourb Astvatzatzin Church has a house and a small mulberry wood in a quarter in Yelizavetpol.” The former had been donated in 1839 by the late Mrs. Hripsime Harutiuniants, an inhabitant of Gandzak from Banants in origin.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1,file 3811, pp. 13-14, ibid file 3798, pp. 242-243.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 101.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 17 c․

2 lines in the Armenian original carved around a cross relief on a vault-bearing arch:
To sculptor Ovanes.
Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 94.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 17 c․

3 lines in the Armenian original engraved around a cross relief on a vault-bearing arch:
To Ovanes Terun.
Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 94.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Sourb Astvatzatzin and St. Grigor Lusavorich Churches

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

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

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

Khachkar

Grave-stone

Khachkar

Rectangular Grave-Stone

Khachkar

Grave-stone

Khachkar

Grave-stone

Khachkar