St. Thaddeus Arakyal Monastery :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

St. Thaddeus Arakyal Monastery

Iran / Western Atrpatakan / Maku / Gharakilisa

Location

The monastery is located in the Artaz District of Vaspourakan Province of Historical Armenia, 23 kilometres away from the town of Maku, at 1830 metres above sea level.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 3.

Historical Introduction
1918 y․

In June 1918 the Ottoman regulars, joined by the soldiers of the khan of Maku, as well as the Kurdish hoards, surrounded the monastery, where the Armenian population of the surrounding villages had found refuge. The Armenians defended themselves for 33 days, until their ammunition ran out and on July 2, the Turks breached the fortifications. A wholesale massacre of the defendants followed, with a few women and children being spared: they were taken into slavery. The church and its treasury were pillaged and an important symbol of the monastery, the right hand of St. Thaddeus, went missing.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 13.

1946 y․

After the war, some Armenian families from the surrounding villages who had miraculously survived the genocide returned to the monastery and lived in the cells until 1946, when they were repatriated to Armenia.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 13.

1814 y․

1840 y․

1852 y․

1853 y․

1865 y․

301 y․

1875 y․

1894 y․

1896 y․

1899 y․

5 c․

1900 y․

1321 y․

5 c․

1342 y․

10 c․

1361 y․

1682 y․

1834 y․

19 c․

5 c․

1851 y․

1865 y․

19 c․

1113 y․

13 c․

1285 y․

13 c․

1295 y․

14 c․

1315 y․

1318 y․

1319 y․

14 c․

1330 y․

14 c․

1343 y․

1385 y․

1426 y․

1493 y․

15 c․

1604 y․

1605 y․

18 c․

1744 y․

1746 y․

1747 y․

1766 y․

1779 y․

18 c․

1783 y․

1787 y․

1792 y․

1794 y․

1795 y․

1824 y․

1826 y․

1840 y․

1851 y․

1867 y․

1894 y․

1897 y․

19 c․

1901 y․

1902 y․

1904 y․

1905 y․

1910 y․

1911 y․

19 c․

1902 y․

1904 y․

1905 y․

1915 y․

1918 y․

1921 y․

1918 — 1946 yy․

20 c․

1955 y․

1960 y․

1996 y․

2000 y․

2005 y․

2007 y․

2008 y․

1954 y․

1966 y․

1996 y․

19 c․

In Armenia King Sanatroug and his daughter Sandukht embraced Christianity but after a short period under the influence of political considerations, the king renounced Christianity, reverting to the pagan religion and started to persecute the Christians. St Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew succumbed to this persecution and were martyred. The king did not even spare his daughter, Virgin Sandukht, who refused to renounce her new faith.

"Manr Zhamanakagroutunner", Volum II, Yerevan, 1956, p. 314. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 3-4.

1905 y․

The followers of Christ buried the remains of St. Thaddeus in a grave near the place of his martyrdom and the body of Virgin Sandukht was laid to rest on the top of a nearby hill.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 4.

According to the 5th century historians, the district of Artaz has had its own diocese whose leaders, Fathers Zakarya and Stepan as well as Bishop Israel are named. However, there is no information regarding the monastery itself. Hovhan Mamikonian confirms that the remains of St. Thaddeus are located in Artaz District of Vaspurakan.

Hovhan Mamikonian, "History of Taron", Yerevan, 1989, p. 32. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 4.

5 c․

5th century chroniclers Yeghishe (Elishe) and Ghazar Parbetsi (Lazar of Parb) in their description of the battle of Avarair, known as the Vardanants Battle, do not mention this monastery. This implies that the believers, having kept the name of Thaddeus the Apostle in living memory and tradition, built the monastery some centuries later, possibly on the foundations of an existing heathen temple.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 4.

8 c․

At the beginning of the 8th century, during the reign of Princes Hovnan Odznetzi and Vahan Mamikonian, the remains of St. Thaddeus and Virgin Sandoukht were discovered.

"Manr Zhamanakagroutunner", Volum I, Yerevan, 1951, p. 203. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 5.

10 c․

St. Thaddeus is mentioned by Tovma Ardzrouni in the early part of the 10th century. More detailed information is given by S. Anetsi a century later.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 5.

10 c․

More detailed information about the monastery can be found in the Armenian literature and memoirs of various travellers from the 10th century onwards.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 5-6.

1247 y․

In 1247 Catholicos of All Armenians Constanine Bardzerberdtsi decreed on the boundaries of the monastery and its adjacent lands. He subsequently sent presents to the monastery in recognition of the honourable service of the monks. Taking advantage of the favourable conditions of peace, the Catholicos also rendered financial assistance to Father Superior Hovsep in order to contribute to the repairs of the earlier damages inflicted on the monastery by the Selucide Turks and the Georgians.

Kirakos Gandzaketsi, "The Armenian History", Yerevan, 1961, p. 311. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 6-7.

1285 y․

The importance of the monastery is further underlined by the fact that in 1285 Levon III, the Armenian King of Cilicia, who had travelled to Atropatene for negotiations with the Mogul Arghun Khan, visited the monastery (its head at the time was Bishop Der Diratzu), accompanied by Thoros the Philosopher. With its restoration the monastery renewed its intellectual activities as well. Regretfully only few of the manuscripts from the monastery have survived to our times. The oldest among them is a manuscript created by writer Restakesi in around 1315, at the time of the leadership of Father Superior Zakaria.

H. Voskean, "The Monastries of Vaspourakan - Van", Volume II, Vienna, 1942, p. 470. "Register of Armenian Manuscripts of the XIV century", Yerevan, 1950, p. 114. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 7-8.

1340 — 1359 yy․

In 1340 Father Mesrop Artazetsi inaugurated an institution of higher theological education and because of it became so famous that in 1359 he was elected as Catholicos of all Armenians. Until the second part of the 17th century, the monastery enjoyed relative prosperity. In the times of Father Zakaria, the buildings adjacent to the monastery were renovated, the church roof was rebuilt and the road leading to the town of Maku was opened.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 9.

1604 y․

In 1604 Shah Abbas the Great of Persia forcefully uprooted hundreds of thousands of the Armenians of Nakhidjevan and drove them to New Djulfa near Isfahan. During this period, the monastery was time and again vandalised and plundered.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 9.

1734 y․

Further damage was inflicted during the renewed Turkish-Persian wars of 1734.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 10.

1841 y․

Stripped of its income, the monasteries of St. Thaddeus and St. Stepannos (which was in the same predicament) were merged in 1841 with the approval of Holy Echmiadzin. They came under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Atrpatagan, having its centre in the city of Tabriz.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 11-13:

19 c․

Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of World War One, the monastery was known under the pseudonym of Lonely Monastery, for it served as an underground transit point for the armed Armenian irregulars on their way to Vaspourakan.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 13.

Scriptoria
1292 y․

1315 y․

1330 y․

1337 y․

1406 y․

1426 y․

1574 y․

1650 y․

1676 y․

1677 y․

1684 y․

1690 y․

1693 y․

1711 y․

Geographical Environment
1894 y․

Architectural Description

The monastery is surrounded by fortifications, having eight round towers at its corners. The complex is divided into two sections: one part includes the church and the cells, and the other has the service area as well as the oil press, the kitchen and the stores.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 15-16.

1319 y․

After the earthquake of 1319, the church was reconstructed with finely finished dark basalt slabs. The exterior of the church is rectangular but the interior is cross-shaped, with a central dome and the main altar flanked on both sides with vestries. The vertical aspect of the church is accentuated by the drum, supported with 12 columns and topped with the conical capped dome.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 16.

1819 y․

In order to expand the church, its western wall and the belfry were demolished in 1819 and replaced with another church, the replica of Holy Echmiadzin, connected to the old church. This new church too has a drum with 12 supporting columns and a conical dome, but is constructed with white stones, brought from a quarry near the village of Kurch-Bulakh. Only the belfry to the west of the church and the roof of the apses are left incomplete.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 16.

In contrast with the sombre and simple exterior of the older church, the new white church has elaborate decorative carvings on the exterior. These can be divided into four categories. At the lower level, the sections of the walls, surrounded by arched columns, are mainly decorated with khachkars (stone-crosses) and "tree of life" carvings. Further up the church has two belts of carvings, one purely with botanical designs and the other with carvings depicting daily life and scenes from mythology. At the next level, separated with cornices, stand figures of saints, separated by wall columns. The uppermost part is relatively simple and ends with yet another cornice.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 16-17.

The influence of the Islamic Safavid architecture can be noted in some of the details of the carvings of the white church. Here the influence of the carvings of the 10th century Holy Cross Cathedral of Aghtamar Monastery near Van is particularly noticeable.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 17.

Foundation

40 — 41 yy․

According to Armenian sources, the establishment of the monastery relates to the years 40-41 A.D., when the two disciples of Jesus Christ, Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew, travelled to Armenia in order to preach Christianity.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 3.

Earthquakes
1696 y․

1696 y․

1840 y․

1696 y․

The monastery suffered new damage as a result of the earthquake of 1696, though fortunately, there were no human losses.

"Manr Zhamanakagrunner", Volume I, Yerevan, 1951, p. 284. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 10.

Repairs
1954 — 1976 yy․

In 1954, on the feast-day of St. Thaddeus the Apostle, at the end of the month of July, the Armenian Diocese of Atrpatagan arranged the first pilgrimage to the monastery. This pilgrimage acted as the starting point for the renovation of the monastery in 1969-70. The repairs were carried out under the supervision of the Iranian Governmental organisation of "Mirase Farhangi" (Cultural Heritage). Part of the funds for the renovation work were provided by the Paris-based Land and Culture Organisation (Organization Terre et Culture), which as of 1976 started its relentless campaign concerning the importance of the monastery and the need for its reconstruction.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 15.

1988 y․

From 1988 onwards, the "Mirase Farhangi" and the Armenian Diocesan Committee, appointed for the supervision of the reconstruction work, managed the reconstruction and repairs of the monastery.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 15.

17 c․

1672 y․

1664 y․

1691 y․

1692 y․

1784 y․

1793 y․

1796 y․

1810 y․

1813 y․

1817 y․

19 c․

1902 y․

1969 y․

1969 — 1971 yy․

1970 y․

1975 — 1979 yy․

1983 y․

In order to continue the repairs during the rule of the Moguls, Father Hovsep sought the favour of Commander Anagurak Nouin. Such favour was of particular importance as the summer residence of the Mogul commander was located in the vicinity of the monastery. With such favour granted, Father Hovsep entirely dedicated himself to the completion of the repairs.

Kirakos Gandzaketsi, "The Armenian History", Yerevan, 1961, p. 311. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 7.

1969 y․

1973 — 1975 yy․

1319 — 1329 yy․

The earthquake of the year 1319 completely ruined the monastery, where 75 of the monks perished. Chamchian writes, "There was a great quake which destroyed the monastery and the church as well as many houses." The work of reconstructing the monastery took ten years and was completed in 1329. Inscriptions about this reconstruction appear on the interior northern wall of the church.

"Historical records collected by Father Samvel of Ani", Vagarshapat, 1893, p. 157. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 8-9.

2005 y․

1650 — 1664 yy․

In 1650 Bishop Mkrtich in spite of his financial difficulties, repaired the church. His successor, Isahak of Maku, repaired the monastery fortifications in 1664.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 9.

1679 — 1685 yy․

Considerable repairs were further undertaken in the years 1679-1685.

"Manr Zhamanakagrunner", Volume I, Yerevan, 1951, p. 309. Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka,

1692 — 1693 yy․

Father Sarkis Kafayetzi undertook further repairs in the church, whose southern, partly western and northern monastic cells were repaired. He also enlarged the utilities and fortified the walls of the monastery. This work was carried out during the years 1692-1694.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 9-10.

1794 y․

The wooden cross was replaced by one made of stone in 1794.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 10.

1819 — 1820 yy․

In 1819 Father Superior Simeon Bznouni, after obtaining permission from Persian Viceroy Abbas Mirza, removed the western facade of the church and built an adjoining church with white stones. By 1820 the church was complete and only the belfry and the roof of the apses were not completed.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, pp. 10-11.

Etymology

Priors
1948 y․

The last Father Superior of the monastery, Father Kajberouni Petros Ghazarian moved to Tabriz, where he died in 1948.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 15.

Estates
1765 y․

1779 y․

18 c․

1797 y․

1806 y․

1808 y․

1809 y․

1824 y․

1830 y․

1835 y․

19 c․

1851 y․

1854 y․

1866 y․

1867 y․

1886 y․

1896 y․

1890 y․

1900 y․

1903 y․

1905 y․

1910 y․

1954 y․

2000 y․

1562 y․

1611 y․

1633 y․

1656 y․

1660 y․

1680 y․

1707 y․

1746 y․

1748 y․

1749 y․

Description
1896 y․

1890 y․

1900 y․

1903 y․

1904 y․

Catholicoi
1515 y․

In 1515 Father Zakaria was elected as Catholicos of all Armenians.

Armen Hakhnazaryan, The Monasteries of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Stepannos Nakhavka, p. 9.

Lapidary Inscriptions
1677 y․

1898 y․

1973 y․

Manorial Records
1820 y․

Research Materials
1894 y․

1899 y․

1903 y․

1960 y․

1968 y․

Donations
1772 y․

1785 y․

1814 y․

1815 y․

1663 y․

1674 y․

1679 y․

1684 y․

1685 y․

1694 y․

17 c․

1704 y․

1738 y․

1758 y․

Manuscripts
1294 y․

1429 y․

1435 y․

1648 y․

1653 y․

1677 y․

1775 y․

1786 y․

18 c․

1808 y․

1840 y․

1894 — 1911 yy․

1901 y․

1910 y․

1911 y․

Gavazanagirk (List of Catholicoi)

17 c․

1894 y․

68 — 72 yy․

72 — 76 yy․

77 — 92 yy․

93 — 123 yy․

124 — 150 yy․

151 — 171 yy․

172 — 190 yy․

190 — 239 yy․

240 — 279 yy․

302 — 327 yy․

327 — 345 yy․

345 — 351 yy․

351 y․

4 c․

421 — 451 yy․

7 c․

10 c․

1243 — 1247 yy․

1285 — 1298 yy․

1315 — 1337 yy․

1329 — 1361 yy․

1361 — 1392 yy․

1321 — 1335 yy․

1335 — 1359 yy․

1397 y․

1406 y․

1426 — 1443 yy․

1486 y․

1493 y․

1516 y․

1574 y․

1591 — 1631 yy․

1650 — 1664 yy․

1664 — 1702 yy․

1691 — 1717 yy․

1719 y․

1728 y․

1735 — 1743 yy․

1743 — 1759 yy․

1759 — 1780 yy․

1781 — 1782 yy․

1782 — 1783 yy․

1783 — 1787 yy․

1787 — 1806 yy․

1806 — 1820 yy․

1820 — 1834 yy․

1851 — 1857 yy․

1858 — 1862 yy․

1863 — 1897 yy․

1897 — 1899 yy․

1901 y․

1901 — 1908 yy․

1907 — 1908 yy․

1909 — 1911 yy․

1914 — 1948 yy․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1702 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1755 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1772 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1780 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1785 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1786 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1811 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1813 y․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration 1813 — 1814 yy․

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration

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