Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Enlightener) Printing Office

RA (Republic of Armenia) / Armavir / Echmiatzin

Historical Introduction
1771 y․

Printing-House of Holy Echmiatzin (Mother See of Echmiatzin, Araratian Mother See of Holy Echmiatzin, Katoghike, Grigor Lusavorich). The first printing-office in the territory of Armenia was established in 1771 through the efforts of Catholicos Simeon of Yerevan (1763 to 1780) and with the financial assistance of one of the inhabitants of the Armenian settlement of Madras, Grigor Michaelian Khojajaniants (Chakikiants), who was from Nor Jugha, Persia: “The monastery has another printing-house founded in the times of Catholicos Simeon in 1771.”

Սարաֆեան Գ., Էջմիածնայ վանքը, «Կոչնակ», 1914, N 33, էջ 778: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 1.

The first work of this office was a Prayer Book of 184 pages (“...that is called a spiritual guide-book”) which was issued in the bolorgir and notrgir types as well as in capital letters engraved by Archbishop Mkrtich of Shorot. It was illuminated with sculptured apses (namely, apse-shaped designs composed of columns and arches and used to frame synoptic lists which compare the contents of the Gospels), floral patterns and ornamental writings the author of which was Harutiun of Echmiatzin. The typesetters were Archimandrite Hovsep and Deacon Yeprem; Grigor and Manuk did the work of inking and printing respectively, and Sexton Khachatur “...disseminated the copies of the book.” The Prayer Book was edited and proof-read by Isaac Geghamatsy, who became the manager of the printing-house 3 years later.

Շահնազարյան Շ., Նոր նյութեր Հայաստանի առաջին տպարանի պատմության վերաբերյալ, «Պատմա-բանասիրական հանդես», 1963, N 1, էջ 262: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 1.

The establishment, which was named after St. Gregory the Enlightener, was housed in a small building adjoining the winter residence of the Catholicos in the west. The following construction inscription was carved on its facade.

Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 1.

1773 y․

In 1773 the building of the printing-house was enlarged, Catholicos Simeon of Yerevan writing the following to the benefactor of the work: “...the printing-office slightly lacking enough space, this year we had it expanded so that all its employees will be near each other in a large area...”

Շահնազարյան Շ., Նոր նյութեր Հայաստանի առաջին տպարանի պատմության վերաբերյալ, «Պատմա-բանասիրական հանդես», 1963, N 1, էջ 262: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

1776 y․

The shortage of printing paper made the spiritual authorities found a paper mill attached to it in 1776, but it functioned only until the Catholicos’s death in 1780.

Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

The printing-house continued its activity under Catholicos Ghukas (1780 to 1799), the successor of Simeon of Yerevan, and later ceased functioning.

Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

1807 y․

In 1807 French General Gardan said the following: “When the Russians took Echmiatzin in 1805, they plundered the church, its treasury and library. Later when it was conquered back by the Persians, they used its books to make cartridges and melted the types of the printing-house to get bullets.”

Հակոբյան Հ., Ուղեգրություններ, հ. Զ, Երևան, 1934, էջ 101: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

After a long-lasting interval, the printing-house of Echmiatzin resumed functioning under Catholicos Yeprem I of Dzoragegh (1809 to 1830), namely in 1819, when a Psalter was published there. Its colophon states: “...His Holiness Supreme Catholicos Yeprem..., who repaired the printing-office in harsh times... had the printing-house of the Holy See, [the work of] which had been obstructed for many years, embellished and renovated almost from its very foundations...”

Շահնազարյան Շ., Նոր նյութեր Հայաստանի առաջին տպարանի պատմության վերաբերյալ, «Պատմա-բանասիրական հանդես», 1963, N 1, էջ 264: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

1820 y․

In 1820 the printing-office published an Armenian-language book entitled An Account of the Saving Passion and Crucifixion of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Its title page read: “In the 10th year of the enthronement of His Holiness Yeprem... Catholicos... in the printing-house of the Holy Enlightener on 26 March 1820 A.D.”

Շահնազարյան Շ., Նոր նյութեր Հայաստանի առաջին տպարանի պատմության վերաբերյալ, «Պատմա-բանասիրական հանդես», 1963, N 1, էջ 264: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

1833 y․

The activity of the establishment was again stopped until 1833. The colophon of the Supplemental Chants published in the same year reports that it had resumed functioning: “...may you remember in your sincere prayers Catholicos of All Armenians ... Hovhannes Karbetsy, who reopened this printing-house...”

Շահնազարյան Շ., Նոր նյութեր Հայաստանի առաջին տպարանի պատմության վերաբերյալ, «Պատմա-բանասիրական հանդես», 1963, N 1, էջ 264: Also see Հայ գիրքը 1801-1850 թվականներին, Երևան, 1967, էջ 198: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

1860 y․

In the 1860s, Catholicos Gevorg IV (1866 to 1882) initiated the renovation of not only the building of the establishment, but also of the types: “...the presses are new, having been brought on the late Catholicos Nerses’ order.”

«Համբաւաբեր Ռուսիոյ», 1861, N 1, էջ 4: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

1868 y․

The overhaul undertaken in the printing-house was completed in 1868. Thanks to the donations made by Mkrtich Sanasarian and Hovhannes Hovnanian, it received moulds, casting machines and a printing press.

Վաւերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմութեան, Գևորգ Դ Կոստանդնուպոլսեցի Քերեստեճեան, գիրք ԺԱ, Երեւան, 2004, էջ 37: According to another source, upon assuming office, Catholicos Gevorg IV embarked on the construction of a seminary and a press in Echmiatzin Monastery. The Armenians of Tiflis committed themselves to covering all the expenses of his undertaking, but “...His Holiness spared them as he did not want us to bear the burden of such a heavy sum ...” (Երիցեան Ա., Ֆէլիէտօն. Բարեգործութիւնը հայոց մէջ, «Արձագանք», 1882, դ 17, 13 յունիսի, էջ 264). Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

1868 y․

It reopened in the same year: “...in 1868 the printing-office of Holy Echmiatzin [re]opened thanks to a gift made by ...Misters Sanasarian and Hovnanian...” It started publishing the “Ararat” journal (1868 to 1919): from 1869 until 1870, its editor was Gh. Aghayan.

Երիցեան Ա., Ֆէլիէտօն. Բարեգործութիւնը հայոց մէջ, «Արձագանք», 1882, N 17, 13 յունիսի, էջ 264: In January 1868, Harutiun Khalipian from Theodosia sent the printing-house letters from his press. In April it also received three kinds of paper from Prince Hovhan Hovnaniants (Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 86). Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 2.

1868 y․

In June 1868, Catholicos Gevorg IV addressed a bull to all Armenians calling on them to organise fund-raising in contribution to the further activity of the establishment.

Վաւերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմութեան, Գևորգ Դ Կոստանդնուպոլսեցի Քերեստեճեան, գիրք ԺԱ, Երեւան, 2004, էջ 228-230: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, pp. 2-3.

1869 y․

In 1869 Mkrtich Sanasarian presented the printing-house with types, a high-speed casting machine and other equipment. Mkrtich Grigorian Ter-Mkrtchiants, who was from Agulis, Nakhijevan, gave it moulds with scenes from Armenia, a binding machine, letters, etc.

Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 88-92: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1870 y․

In 1870 the printing-office received 2 presses from Tiflis.

Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 86: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1874 y․

On 15 October 1874, it borrowed 5,654 roubles 88 kopecks from Hovhannes Hovnaniants for its financial needs.

Վաւերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմութեան, Գևորգ Դ Կոստանդնուպոլսեցի Քերեստեճեան, գիրք ԺԱ, Երեւան, 2004, էջ 541-542: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1876 y․

On 16 October 1876, Catholicos Gevorg IV applied to Pavel Nikolayevich with a request to intercede before the Caucasian Vice-Roy to leave the printing-house of Echmiatzin within the immediate jurisdiction of the Catholicos and approve the plan of its management without police control.

Վաւերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմութեան, Գևորգ Դ Կոստանդնուպոլսեցի Քերեստեճեան, գիրք ԺԱ, Երեւան, 2004, էջ 706-708: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1876 y․

British jurist, historian and politician J. Bryce, who visited Echmiatzin in the autumn of the same year, writes the following about the activity of the establishment: “A magazine called Ararat has recently been established; it is printed at the monastery, and of course in Armenian; nor is the press of Etchmiadzin idle in producing educational manuals, the class of books which are at present most scarce among the Armenians of these countries.”

Transcaucasia and Ararat by James Bryce, London, 1896, pp. 323-324. Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

Catholicos Matevos I (1858 to 1865) initiated the construction of a new building for the printing-house in the site of the old market of Vagharshapat, but his death left his desire incomplete. It was carried out only over two decades later, in the times of Catholicos Makar I of Teghut (1885 to 1891).

Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1888 y․

In accordance with a contract signed with architect M. Salambekian on 28 March 1888, the construction of the new building started in the east of Echmiatzin Cathedral and was completed in 1889: it had a type-setting office, a press, a paper soaking room, a foundry, a barn, an assembly hall, a consultation room and office, a library and a large vestibule: “Under Catholicos Makar, another building was erected with store-rooms, a smelting-house, a separate hall for typesetters and a printing room with a small and two large high-speed presses... The printing-office is supplied with electricity and also houses a separate foundry for types, which has saved it from the problem of purchasing them.”

Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 116: Սարաֆեան Գ., Էջմիածնայ վանքը, «Կոչնակ», 1914, N 33, էջ 778: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

Under Catholicos Mkrtich Khrimian I (1892 to 1907), the printing-house was enriched with new equipment, which promoted its further activity.

Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 117-125: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1895 y․

In 1895 the printing-house of Echmiatzin participated in the all-Russian exhibition of printing held in St. Petersburg with the books it had published since 1771 and was highly awarded there.

«Արարատ», 1895, էջ 141-142: Also see Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 128-131: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

The excellent work of this printing-office, something unusual for those times, is also attested by English correspondent Walter Harris, who visited Echmiatzin between 1895 and 1896: according to him, it printed books with cliches, which yielded quite fine results.

From Batum to Baghdad via Tiflis, Tabriz and Kurdistan by Walter B. Harris, Edinburgh and London 1896, p. 76. Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

In 1901 through the efforts of Archbishop Sukias Parziants, a passageway and two large arched rooms were built close to the printing-house (the basement of these rooms was used as a storehouse of paper and different substances).

Archbishop Sukias Parziants (10.12.1837, Astapat - 12.9.1914, Vagharshapat) was a philologist, pedagogue and public figure. Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 133: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1909 y․

As of 1909, the printing-house was in a bad state: the fonts of the typesetting-office and foundry “...are out of date and mostly unfit [for further use]. ...it should either close or undergo repairs...” The binding-office was equipped with “...considerable facilities although it has some major shortages, particularly needing a couple of machines. ...It will be sufficient to spend 1,500 roubles just for the binding-office.”

Վաւերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմութեան, Մատթէոս Բ Իզմիրլեան, գիրք Ը, Երեւան, 2001, էջ 342: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1907 — 1910 yy․

From 1907 until 1910, the Inspector’s post of the printing-office was successively held by Archimandrites Mkhitar Ter-Mkrtchian and Yervand Ter-Minassian, as well as by Isaac Ter-Michaelian and Archimandrite Artak Smbatian.

Վաւերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմութեան, Մատթէոս Բ Իզմիրլեան, գիրք Ը, Երեւան, 2001, էջ 336, 494, 662: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 3.

1908 y․

In 1908, when Archimandrite Yervand Ter-Minassian was the Inspector of the printing-house, “...the printing of books assumed a new quality from the standpoint of cleanness and beauty of art. ...The printing-office of the Holy See works with great speed, publishing not only the books of the distinguished scholars who are members of the monastic community of Holy Echmiatzin, ...but also those of the teachers of Gevorgian Spiritual Seminary and other secular people and clergymen relating to history, philology, criticism and other fields...”

Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 140-141: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, pp. 3-4.

1910 y․

As of 1910, it was necessary to supplement the printing-office with new equipment and employ specialists experienced in that field: “The printing-house is one of the oldest establishments of the Mother See: it gradually made progress in the course of time so that now it is one of the richest printing-houses in Caucasia as far as printing in Armenian is concerned. It has a foundry and a binding-house, but it would give the Mother See more income if it belonged to a private owner. Every single operation is performed according to the old system; in addition, the managers of our printing-office are appointed from among the members of the monastic community of Echmiatzin who are not skilled in printing business and are unable to introduce and use the up-to-date machinery which yields income to other printing-houses.”

Վաւերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմութեան, Մատթէոս Բ Իզմիրլեան, գիրք Ը, Երեւան, 2001, էջ 599: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 4.

1913 y․

In 1913 the printing-office published an Armenological collection entitled Shoghakat.

Հայ պարբերական մամուլը. մատենագիտական համահավաք ցուցակ (1794-1980), կազմ.՝ Բաբլոյան Մ., Երևան, 1986, էջ 98: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 4.

1918 y․

On 18 May 1918, the assembly of the monks of Echmiatzin decided “...to close the printing-house for an unspecified period of time entitling its Inspector to preserve the typesetter’s post to set and print the works necessary for the establishments of the Mother See. As for the other employees, they should be paid for three months (May, June and July) and be dismissed.”

Վավերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմության, Մայր աթոռ Ս. Էջմիածինը Առաջին Հանրապետության տարիներին (1918-1920 թթ.), գիրք Ե, Երևան, 1999, էջ 31, 61: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 4.

1919 y․

In 1919 the printing-house issued text-books at a small-scale edition, due to which, the existing demand for them remained unsatisfied: “The Armenian nation has a great craving for education.”

Զարեան Կ., Անցորդը եւ իր ճամբան, «Հայրենիք», 1927, N 8, էջ 36: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 4.

In the same year, the printing-house was in an inconsolable state: “The printing-house was placed at the disposal of a bishop who in his turn passed it to another. It is consigned to [total] neglect. There is nobody to take care of its rich property and large amount of paper. People say that the paper of this printing-office may easily be bought at the market of Vagharshapat despite the fact that the state establishments in Yerevan are in bad need of paper and there is no normal printing-house in Yerevan...”

Վավերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմության, Մայր աթոռ Ս. Էջմիածինը Առաջին Հանրապետության տարիներին (1918-1920 թթ.), գիրք Ե, Երևան, 1999, էջ 137: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 4.

1920 y․

In January 1920, the printing-office started publishing the “Echmiatzin” weekly (11 issues) instead of the “Ararat” journal.

Վավերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմության, Մայր աթոռ Ս. Էջմիածինը Առաջին Հանրապետության տարիներին (1918-1920 թթ.), գիրք Ե, Երևան, 1999, էջ 511-513: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 4.

On 23 June of the same year, the Inspector of the printing-house, Senior Archimandrite Arsen, applied to Catholicos Gevorg Sureniants V (1911 to 1930) with a request to put it within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finances of the Republic of Armenia.

Վավերագրեր հայ եկեղեցու պատմության, Մայր աթոռ Ս. Էջմիածինը Առաջին Հանրապետության տարիներին (1918-1920 թթ.), գիրք Ե, Երևան, 1999, էջ 427: Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 4.

During its activity (1771 to 1920), the printing-house of Holy Echmiatzin published hundreds of religious, historical and philological books, text-books and magazines.

Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, p. 4.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction 1771 y․

The following construction inscription was carved on its facade:
Աստուծով հաստատեցաւ տպագրատունս նոր ի նորոյ ի սուրբ Աթոռոյս Էջմիածին, ամենայն պարագայիւքն հոգաբարձութեամբ տեառն Սիմէօն սրբազան կաթուղիկոսին Երևանցւոյ, արդեամբ Ջուղայեցի ի Հինդ բնակեալ բարեպաշտօն Գրիգոր աղային Խոջաջանեան, որ մականուամբ Չաքիկենց կոչի ի յիշատակ իւրեան եւ իւր ի Քրիստոս հանգուցեալ ծնողացն՝ Միքայէլին և Մամախաթունին, իւր կենակից Մատլինային և վաղաթառամ Միքայէլ որդւոյն և քերցն Անամարիային և Զիպիտային, հօրեղբարցն՝ Եղիազարին, Սաֆարին և Աղէքսանդրին, պապուն՝ Գրգորին և կենակից Թագուհւոյն և հօրաքեռն՝ Զիժազատային և մեծ պապ Յակոբջանին և հօրեղբօր դստերացն՝ Պէկզադային և Գիւլնաբաթին, և այլ ամենայն հին և նոր ննջեցելոցն նորին: Այսու պայմանաւ՝ զի ի տարին Բ անգամ ի տօնի Լուսաւորչին և հրեշտակապետացն ի սուրբ Աթոռոջս պատարագ մատչիցի հանդիսաւորութեամբ՝ յիշելով զնոսա, որոց յիշատակն օրհնութեամբ եղիցի, ամէն. թ(վին) ՌՄԻ (յամի 1771): Transl.: With God’s will, this printing-house was founded in the Holy See of Echmiatzin with all its accessories under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Simeon of Yerevan, through the means of pious Agha Grigor Khojajanian also named Chakikiants, a native of [New] Jugha who lives in India, in memory of his [soul] and his parents, the late Michael and Mamakhatun, his spouse Matlina and his son Michael, who died an untimely death, as well as his sisters Anamaria and Zipita, his uncles Yeghiazar, Safar and Alexandre, his grandfather Grigor and his wife Taguhi, his aunt Zizhazat, his great grandfather Hakobjan and his uncle’s daughters Pekzada and Gyulnabat together with all his deceased ones, both those who died a long time ago and those who passed away recently, on condition that twice a year, at the feasts of the [Holy] Enlightener and the Archangels, the Holy See should offer a solemn service for them. May their memory be blessed. Amen. In the year 1220 (1771).

Սմբատյանց Ա., Սուրբ Էջմիածնի միաբանության գրական-կրթական գործունեությունը և Մայր Աթոռի տպարանը, Ս. Էջմիածին, 1973, էջ 45-46: A. Smbatiants and Ghevond Gharakhanian, the master of the press, found the stone of this inscription buried in the earth and broken to three pieces. It was moved to the monastic museum of antiquities. Also see Լևոնյան Գ., Հայ գիրքը և տպագրության արվեստը, Երևան, 1946, էջ 152. Abrahamian Emma, Printing-Houses Throughout the Armenian Homeland, in: "Vardzk", 2012, N 6, pp. 1-2.

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