The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Kyatuk village

The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Kyatuk village

Location

The village is situated in the Askeran region of occupied Artsakh, approximately 4 km southwest of Askeran city. The present-day village was established in the late 18th century and was originally known as Nor Kyatuk (Balayan 2020, 34). The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Kyatuk is located at the heart of the village (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 The general view of the church, photo by G. Sargsyan.

Historical overview

Makar Barkhudaryants provides some insights about the Surb Astvatsatsin Church: "The church is Surb Astvatsatsin, constructed of stone. It is arched and has one priest."  (Barkhutareants 1895, 130). While there is no definitive evidence regarding the exact date of the church’s construction, it was likely built in the latter half of the 19th century. The church features a layout and exterior that are characteristic of rural churches from that period.

 

Fig. 2 The western facade of the church, photo by G. Sargsyan.

Architectural-compositional examination

The Church of Surb Astvatsatsin is a rectangular hall with an eastern rectangular tabernacle. It is constructed from medium-sized rough white limestone (Fig. 2), with only the cornerstones, window, and entrance edgings, and entrance lintel polished (Fig. 3). The church entrance is located on the south side, with no inscription on the lintel. Two large windows flank the entrance. The interior of the church was modestly decorated, but during the Soviet era, the walls were covered with plaster (Figs. 4, 5). The stage has not been preserved. A plain rectangular window is situated on the eastern side. Although there was once a simple window on the western facade, it has not survived. The baptismal font is built from polished stones and is almost devoid of decoration, with only a small, ornate cross carved into the left corner of the arch (Fig. 6).

Fig. 3 The window of the church, photo by G. Sargsyan.

Fig. 5 The interior view of the church, photo by G. Sargsyan.

Fig. 6 The baptismal font of the church, photo by G. Sargsyan.

The condition before and after the war

During the Soviet era, the church building was repurposed as a club. Today, the church is partially in ruins. In the western part, plain wooden columns and remnants of a log roof can still be seen, though this roof was likely added during the Soviet period when the building was used for various economic purposes besides functioning as a club. The pillars were placed to cover an irregularly shaped small area (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7 The remains of the church roof, photo by G. Sargsyan.

Bibliography

  1. Balayan 2020 - Balayan V., Outlines of the History of Settlements of the Republic of Artsakh.
  2. Barkhutareants 1895 - Barkhutareants M., Artsakh, Baku.
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Kyatuk village
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Kyatuk village
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Kyatuk village
Artsakh