Sourb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church

Georgia / Javakhk / Ninotzminda / Metz Khanchali

Historical Introduction

The exact year of the foundation of Sourb Astvatzatzin Church remains obscure, but it is beyond doubt that it existed as early as the 1830s. Most probably, the present-day church of the village, which is preserved standing but is in a state of utter decrepitude, was rebuilt in the site of the older one between the 1850s and 1860s. During its existence, it underwent renovation for several times.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 376.

Architectural Description

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church represents a monument built of finely-dressed and hewn basalt and mortar. Its wooden roof is supported by three pairs of wooden pillars. The entrance of the sanctuary (exterior dimensions: 19.67 x 11.68 metres), which is illuminated through ten windows, opens from its western facade.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 376.

Repairs
1896 y․

Thus, on 14 August 1896, its verger was granted permit to plaster its interior and build a dome-shaped wooden belfry for it.

Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 2917, թ. 23-25: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 376.

1913 y․

In 1913 it was planned to repair the northern and southern walls of the church with 1,000 roubles to be spent from its own budget. In October of the same year (1913), the spiritual authorities granted permission for the implementation of this overhaul as well—this time the work was carried out under the supervision of Priest Sahak Vardapetian.

Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3450, թ. 1-7; ֆ. 56, ց. 1, գ. 11746, թ. 1-3: Also see «Արարատ», 1913, էջ 1004: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 376.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-west
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 Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch