Sourb Astvatzatzin Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church 1867 y․

Georgia / Kakhet / Lagodekh / Lagodekh

Historical Introduction
1866 y․

In the mid-1860s, Lagodekh’s Armenians intended to build a church, dedicated to the Holy Virgin in the local fort.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 4065, p. 14. The original in Armenian.

1866 y․

In 1866 they decided to realize their intention and embarked upon the construction of a wooden church.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 4065, p. 8. The original in Armenian.

1869 y․

It was only in 1869 that the project was approved, but the construction was still delayed.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 4065, p. 14. The original in Armenian.

1876 y․

An archive document dating back to 1876 mentions Lagodekh’s “newly-founded” church, which leads us to the conclusion that by then it had already been accomplished.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3868, pp. 75-76. The original in Armenian.

1923 y․

The church functioned till 30 August 1923.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 3146, p. 11. According to another archive document, the church closed in March 1923. Ibid, fund 57, list 3, file 463, p. 58. The original in Armenian.

1985 y․

In 1985-1986 the church was still standing. After its annihilation, a cafe was built in its site.

Samvel Karapetian, Kakhet Armenians, Yerevan, 2004, p. 105. The original in Armenian.

Foundation
1867 y․

The foundations of the church were laid in 1867.

“Nor-Dar”, 1890, N 34, p. 3; ibid, 1899, N 34, p. 3. The originals in Armenian.

Repairs
1891 y․

A considerable amount of work was carried out throughout 1891-1893, this being confirmed by the following quotation, “...within two years, the present-day verger, Mr. S. Matiniants, raised a capital of about 400 roubles, which was spent on the construction of the church dome, ceiling and windows. Besides, he also had the entire building plastered on account of the local merchants... .”

“Nor-Dar”, 1893, N 197, p. 2. The original in Armenian.

1894 y․

The reconstruction was carried on in 1894 as well.

“Nor-Dar”, 1894, N 183, p. 2. The original in Armenian.

1911 y․

In 1911 in return for the permission to bury her husband Kostandin Movsissian Kalatuziants in the church cemetery, Khanum Kalatuziants spent 500 roubles on some repairs, implemented in the sanctuary. With this regard a record reads, “Apart from reconstructing the belfry roof, I have also had the inside walls of the church thoroughly plastered and painted... .”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3437, p. 3. K. M. Kalatuziants was killed on 20 March 1910. “Mshak”, 1910, N 98. The original in Armenian.

1911 y․

In 1911 in accordance with her husband’s will, Eve Stepanossian Otarian spent 600 roubles on the repairs of the church roof and outer walls. She also had the three doors and windows of the building changed, in return for which she was granted permission to inter her husband’s remains in the grave-yard in the church vestibule.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3437, p. 3. The original in Armenian.

1914 y․

In a publication of the “Mshak” newspaper (26 April 1914), agent priest Bagrat Sukiassiants expressed his gratitude to “Tiflis’ honourary citizen Mr. Artashes Hambardzumian Enfiajian, Sghnakh citizen Sargis Simeonian Simeoniants and Tsghna Village inhabitant Grigor Gabrielian, who had stoned the floor of the township’s Holy Virgin Church with tomite, constructed the entire gallery and restored the images of the altar respectively. The clergyman also addressed his thankful words to the pious benefactors of the township and Ghobakhch Village, whose donations had been of great contribution to the reconstruction of the church.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 227, list 1, file 639, p. 26. The original in Armenian.

1900 y․

Priests
1900 — 1911 yy․

Bagrat Sukiassiants. Served in 1900-1911 and taught Religion and Singing at the local school. He was of great instrumentality in the reconstruction of the church.

“Mshak”, 1900, N 22, p. 3; “Surhandak”, 1911, N 5. The originals in Armenian.

1923 y․

In 1923 reference is made to priest Ghukas Ter-Khachatrian.