Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin church of Vaghuhas

Location

Surb Mariam Astsvatsatsin Church is situated on an elevated site in the Martakert region of the Republic of Artsakh (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 The location of the church, photo by H. Petrosyan.

Historical overview

Construction works of the church began in 2007. Grigori Hayrapetyan, a Vaghuhas villager and Russian resident, funded the project. Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, leader of the Diocese of Artsakh, consecrated the church in 2012, on the occasion of the village's 19th anniversary of liberation (https://news.am/arm/news/94233.html).

Architectural-compositional examination

The church is constructed of white limestone from Artsakh, with load-bearing structures, arches, and vaults made of reinforced concrete and lined with orange tuff stone. The structure of the church is akin to Surb Hakob Church of Stepanakert, showing a slightly stretched symmetry from west to east in a cruciform design, with subtle differences in window sizes, openings, and styling. A small bell tower stands atop the tiled roof at the center of the vault intersection (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 The general view of the church, photo by M. Vanyan.

The condition before and after the war

During the Artsakh War, the church was unscathed.

Bibliography

1. The newly built church of Vaghuhas village of Artsakh was consecrated, https://news.am/arm/news/94233.htm.

Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin church of Vaghuhas
Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin church of Vaghuhas
Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin church of Vaghuhas
Artsakh