Sourb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church 10 — 11 cc․

Georgia / Javakhk / Akhalkalak / Dadesh

Historical Introduction
10 — 11 cc․

Most probably, the older church of Dadesh, Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin), dates back to the period between the 10th and 11th centuries, and belonged to the Byzantine faith.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 153.

Repairs
19 c․

The Armenians who resettled in the village in the 19th century renovated the sanctuary with their scanty means and applied to the spiritual authorities for permission to consecrate it in 1848: “...an ancient church of stone and mortar has existed here since time immemorial. The inhabitants who have repaired it are now writing to the spiritual leaders of Akhaltskha for its blessing.” The font, preserved in the northern wall of the sanctuary, attests that it was blessed as a parish church (exterior dimensions: 14.23 x 6.89 metres). As of 1862, the church is described as “...an ancient building of high antiquity which is on the verge of collapse...”

Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, ֆ. 56, ց. 6, գ. 5, թ. 5, գ. 4336, թ. 1։ Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, pp. 153-154.

Description

The eastern facade of Sourb Astvatzatzin bears two inscriptions in Georgian Mesropian letters.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 153.

Inscription, Georgian, Engraved, Commemoration 12 — 13 cc․

The eastern facade of Sourb Astvatzatzin bears an inscription in Georgian Mesropian letters:
წმიდაო გიორგი შეიწყალე ახალც[იხელი]. Transl.: Saint Gevorg, may you have mercy upon the inhabitant of Akhaltskha.

“ჯავახეთი. ისტორიულ-ხუროთმოძღვრული გზმკვლევი”, თბილისი, 2000, էջ 33: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 154. Note: The inscription is cited according to the publication by “ჯავახეთი. ისტორიულ-ხუროთმოძღვრული გზმკვლევი” (Tbilisi, 2000). It is attributed to the 12th to 13th centuries.

Inscription, Georgian, Engraved, Commemoration

The eastern facade of Sourb Astvatzatzin bears an inscription in Georgian Mesropian letters:
სახელითა ღვთისმშობლისაჲთა ჯუარი ესე აემართა. მე თევდორემ მოგახსენე შვილთა ჩემთა მიქელ... Transl.: In the name of Astvatzatzin [Holy Virgin], I, Tevdores, erected this Cross. May you remember my sons Mikel...

“ჯავახეთი. ისტორიულ-ხუროთმოძღვრული გზმკვლევი”, თბილისი, 2000, էջ 33: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 154. Note: Published according to “ჯავახეთი. ისტორიულ-ხუროთმოძღვრული გზმკვლევი.” The inscription dates from the 12th to 13th centuries.

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

The older and new churches of the village seen from the north-east.

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

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

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

A built-in-wall capital in the older church of Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin.

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

The tympanum of its entrance opening from its southern facade.

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

A partial view of its interior decoration