St. Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Enlightener) Church

St. Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Enlightener) Church 5 — 6 cc․

Georgia / Javakhk / Akhalkalak / Bzavet

Historical Introduction
1837 y․

The earliest mention of the sanctuary in the available archive documents dates from 1837.

Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 4077, թ. 19։ Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 117.

Architectural Description

It has its parallels—in terms of composition and plan—in many ancient sites of Armenia such as the village sites of Bayburd and Avanik, as well as the city site of Urtz, etc. It represents a uni-nave basilica with an outwardly accentuated trihedral bema in the east. This sanctuary (exterior dimensions: 16.1 x 6.4 metres), whose only entrance opens from the south, is built of finely-finished basalt. In the south, it is adjoined by a chapel of a similar composition (exterior dimensions: 7.1 x 4.0 metres) whose entrance opens from the west.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 117.

Foundation
5 — 6 cc․

It was founded between the 5th and 6th centuries.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 117.

Repairs
1830 y․

The Armenian resettlers from Karin who took up living in this abandoned village in the 1830s renovated the local semi-ruined church by covering its roof with wood and adding a font to its northern wall. They dedicated it to St. Gregory the Enlightener and started using it as a parish church.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 117.

1848 y․

The earliest mention of the sanctuary in the available archive documents dates from 1837. Most probably, the church, repaired through the scanty means of the resettlers, did not serve them long, for a document of 1848 shows that it again underwent overhaul afterwards and needed re-consecration: “...a wooden church of average dimensions which has stone walls and a roof of wood...”

Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 56, ց. 6, գ. 5, թ. 5։ Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 117.

Description

The church of St. Gregory the Enlightener was built in the times when the Georgian Church professed the Apostolic faith, namely before the year 609; therefore, it was consecrated as an Apostolic sanctuary both for the very first time, and at its latest blessing, irrespective of the national identity of its founders (there exist no inscriptions to shed light on this issue).

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 117.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Partial view of its eastern facade.

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Partial view of its eastern facade.

Type Measurement
View `
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

The entrance tympanum of St. Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Enlightener) Church

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

The entrance tympanum of the chapel adjoining St. Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Enlightener) Church from the south.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

The gate of the enclosure

Type Photo
View Detail
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

The fragments of quadrilateral steles, and pedestals forming part of the enclosure

Type Photo
View Detail
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

The fragments of quadrilateral steles, and pedestals forming part of the enclosure.

Type Photo
View Detail
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

The fragments of quadrilateral steles, and pedestals forming part of the enclosure.