Sourb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church 1830 — 1856 yy․

Georgia / Javakhk / Akhalkalak / Khando

Historical Introduction
1830 — 1839 yy․

In the early 1830s, the newly-settled Armenians repaired the old church standing in the village and consecrated it after the Holy Virgin (mentioned by the name of Sourb Astvatzatzin in 1839.

Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 457, թ. 42-67։ Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 217.

1840 y․

In 1840 it is also mentioned by the name of Sourb Markos Avetaranich (St. Mark the Evangelist).

Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3800, թ. 4։ Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 217.

1856 y․

It served as a parish church until the year 1856, viz. the construction of the new and large church of Sourb Khach. The sanctuary dedicated to St. Mark the Evangelist dates from the 10th to 11th centuries and primarily belonged to the Byzantine faith.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 217.

Architectural Description

It was entirely built of finely-dressed stone, with a winged cross memorial serving as its “basis.” In the south and west, it was adjoined by a portico (exterior dimensions: 8.34 x 5.20 metres), the southern wall of which outwardly bore a block of stone engraved with a Georgian Mesropian inscription (most probably, it was one of the facing stones of another building).

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 217.

Inscription, Georgian Mesropian, Engraved, Commemoration

The aforementioned inscription reads as follows:
ქ(რისტ)ე შ(ეი)წ(ყალე) ფ(Ï³Ù ყ)... | ესმხ... | არა... Transl.: Christ, may You have mercy...

Published in: ბერძენიშვილი დ., ნარკვევები საქართველოს ისტორიული გეოგრაფიიდან. ზემო ქართლი - თორი, ჯავახეთი, էջ 129: “ჯავახეთი. ისტორიული-ხუროთმოძღვრული გზამკვლევი”, էջ 57-58: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 217. Note: Judging from the style of the inscription, we may trace it back to the 9th to 10th centuries. D. Berdzenishvili attributes it to the 6th to 7th centuries, but we find this dating improbable.

Type Copied Lapidary Inscription
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Graphical Drawing

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

A facing stone engraved with a Georgian Mesropian inscription set outwardly in the southern wall of its hall.

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

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

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

Type Photo
View Partial view
Direction From the south
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

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

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

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative

The sanctuary from the south-west after its self-willed renovation (its project was not ratified by Georgia’s Department of Monuments Preservation).

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
St. Markos Avetaranich	1840 y․