Sourb Astvatzamor Armenian Catholic church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzamor Armenian Catholic church 1856 y․

Georgia / Javakhk / Akhalkalak / Turtskh

Historical Introduction
1856 — 1894 yy․

The Armenian Catholic church of Sourb Astvatzamor was built in 1856: “The local people have a stone-built church erected with their own means in 1856 and dedicated to the Holy Virgin. It was repaired in 1894” (an inscription mentions the year 1892 as marking this renovation).

«Օրացոյց և պատկեր տօնից», Թիֆլիս, 1916, էջ 82։ Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 503.

Architectural Description

Sourb Astvatzamor Church is built of finely-finished stone and mortar. It is particularly remarkable for its eastern facade with an outwardly accentuated semi-circular bema. The western facade of the monument bears two richly-adorned inscribed cross-stones of the 15th century.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 505.

Description

As of 2006, the sanctuary stood in a fine state of preservation.

In the years of Stalin’s tyranny, the authorities attempted to turn the local church into a warehouse, just as they had done in many of the neighbouring villages. The inhabitants of Turtskh, however, hindered them from implementing their plan by building a storehouse in their village. Thanks to this, the church continued serving its parish. Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 505.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2004 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2004 y․

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

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