Sourb Khach (Holy Cross) Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Khach (Holy Cross) Church

Georgia / Javakhk / Aspindza / Tamala

Historical Introduction
1830 y․

The earliest records regarding Sourb Khach (Holy Cross) Church of Tamala date back to the 1830s.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 495.

Repairs
1843 — 1873 yy․

In order to complete the repairs of the sanctuary which had started “...in the year 1843” some amount of money was spent from its budget of 1845. Judging from a record of 1873, nearly a quarter of a century later, the monument underwent major reconstruction: “...The newly-built church of Tamala, bearing the name of Sourb Khach, has been erected through the villagers’ own means... It represents a fine structure of stone, with its length reaching 30 feet. The cross of the belfry, which has cost 26 roubles, has been donated by Mr. Nikoghayos Aladatiants from Tiflis...”

Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3811, թ. 73-74։ «Մեղու Հայաստանի», 1873, N 15, էջ 2։ The benefactor was Mayor of Tiflis (1869) Nikoghayos Hovhannissian Aladatiants (he died in 1875), who was also known as an actor and a playwright. For details about Aladatiants’ life, see մանրամասնությունները տե՛ս Կարապետյան Ս., «Թիֆլիսի քաղաքագլուխները», Բեյրութ, 2003, էջ 67: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 495.

Description
2004 y․

By 2004 Sourb Khach Church (exterior dimensions: 16.80 x 10.55 metres) had appeared in a bad state of dilapidation, with its wooden roof having almost entirely collapsed.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 495.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2004 y․

The western facade of Sourb Khach (Holy Cross) Church

Type Photo
View Interior
Direction From the east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2004 y․