Vardzunik Sanctuary :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Vardzunik Sanctuary

Georgia / Javakhk / Akhalkalak

Location

Vardzunik is situated on the almost vertical slope of a rocky gorge lying on the left bank of the river Kur, 5 kilometres south-west of the village of Tmogvi.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 484.

Historical Introduction

Most probably, the monastic complex of Vardzunik, which is one of the most renowned places of religious worship throughout Javakhk, dates as far back as the pre-Christian era.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 484.

Historiographer of the 13th century Vanakan Vardapet (the Archimandrite) mentions Vardzunik in connection with Mesrop Mashtots’ activity (5th century): “Mesrop conveyed [the Armenian] script to them and blessed the cross of Vardzi [Vardzunik], which bears an Armenian inscription on its right wing—it is covered with gold to be hidden from sight...”

«Գիրք Թղթոց», էջ 534: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 484.

12 — 13 cc․

The significance of the monastic complex of Vardzunik increased during the 12th and 13th centuries, when Georgia restored its former power and launched a liberation struggle against the Seljuk-Turks. The Armeno-Georgian united forces fighting under the command of Princes Zakarian often received blessing in Sourb Astvatzatzin Church of Vardzunik: “Praying before the Holy Virgin of Vardzi, [the king] blessed the banner and the army which was to start a military campaign against Persia. He gave the banner to Amirspasalar [Commander-in-chief] Zakaria and they [the troops] moved towards Persia...”

Մելիքսեթ-Բեկ Լ. Մ., Վրաց աղբյուրները Հայաստանի և հայերի մասին, հ. Բ, Երևան, 1936, էջ 23: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 484.

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