The “Mandur” Monastery of Mets Shen
Location
The Mandur Monastery is situated near the village of Mets Shen in the Martakert region of the Republic of Artsakh. It occupies a prominent position on one of the capes along the right bank of the Tartar River, adjacent to the Sarsang Reservoir. The monastery is approximately 45 kilometers from Stepanakert, 14 kilometers from Martakert, and 4.4 kilometers from Mets Shen (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 The Mandur Monastery, photo by H. Petrosyan.
Historical overview
There is no historical record of the Mandur Monastery. The site was discovered and designated as a monument only in 2018, and our knowledge of it is derived primarily from numerous inscriptions and nearby monuments. Moreover, the monastery's original name remains unknown; residents call it "Mandur" (i.e., chapel).
Architectural-compositional examination
The monument comprises the principal standing-walled church and the remnants of several ancillary structures, inscribed khachkars, tombstones, and various stylized stone walls.
The surviving church is a single-nave vaulted hall oriented along a west-east axis. The northern and southern walls are relatively well preserved, each featuring a window, while the sole entrance on the western side has been destroyed, and the nave itself has not survived. Constructed of rough stone in various sizes of limestone bonded with lime mortar, the structure also incorporates hewn stones in its corner sections, on which several cross-shaped figures have been carved. The building measures 6.5 meters in length, 4.4 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in preserved height (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 The monastery's primary (or surviving) church, planned by G. Sargsyan.
The lintel of the building is also preserved with a seven‐line inscription:
"I, Samuel, and Margar built the church, and on its completion it was dedicated to Christ through the abundant toil of Samuel, who raised it for us, the unworthy. Let all who praise remember Christ" (Fig. 3).
In addition to the main (or surviving) structure, the 200 × 220 meters promontory displays traces of other buildings, two of which are comparatively better defined. Considering this situation and the numerous richly endowed mausoleums on the site, we regard the Mandur monument as a monastery.
The monastery complex has abundant khachkars, tombstones, and inscribed stelae. Although over 30 mausoleums are immediately visible, a walk through the area reveals many more mausoleums hidden beneath layers of rubble, grass, and soil. The inscribed window portal is particularly interesting, whose arch opening measures a mere 20 centimeters. Part of the inscription reads: "In the year 1106 of the Armenian calendar, I, Jacob, the humble priest..." (Fig. 4).
Fig. 3 The church's patron inscription, photo by N. Yeranyan.
The same Jacob the priest is likely mentioned in the inscription on Giorg's khachkar. The west‑southwest face of the khachkar features a sacred niche accented by a simple carved band. From its two upper corners, with gracefully curved terminations, the arms of the cross descend toward the center. Below the cross, a family group is depicted—a set of three boys, two of whom are shown holding a single cross. An inscription reading accompanies this representation: "Grigor's son Giorg" (Fig. 5)․ On the right-hand edge of the sacred niche, there is an extensive inscription: "In the year (1127), I, Jacob, erected this cross for my brother Giorg, for the sake of God; and may God have mercy Giorg, Amen ."
The other inscribed khachkar is mounted on the southern wall of the church. It is divided into two parts (Fig. 6). The rectangular dressed stone's cross-face is adorned with a series of eight-tiered rows, interrupted only in the lower section of the left cross-arm, which leaves an open space for figural representation. At first glance, it is a pictorial depiction reminiscent of a picturesque scene (Petrosyan, Yeranyan 2022, 212). Three men are portrayed: one is depicted in the lower section lying horizontally with his head resting on a support, while the other two figures are shown in an upright position, placed below the first. Around the figures, their names are inscribed: "Varaham, Harb, Habib."
Fig. 5 Giorg's khachkar inscription, photo by H. Petrosyan.
Though lacking an inscription, the next monument is rich in figural decoration. On the two lower sections of the central Cross, two figures seated on chairs (the heralds from above) are depicted, while in the lowest segment, angels—assisted by banners—are shown delivering the Cross (Fig. 7). In effect, the overall composition represents the second advent of the Cross and the faithful who await it. All the figures are portrayed with bowed heads.
We obtain crucial historical information regarding the monastery and the region from an extensive inscription carved on a 92 × 60 cm dressed stone. This inscription was discovered during the examination and cleaning operations conducted by the staff of the Monuments Preservation, Research, and Restoration Department of The Republic of Artsakh (Fig. 8), approximately 25 meters west of the standing church.
The Monumentwatch team is still investigating the inscription. Its initial section can be partially read as follows: "In the year (1240), during the patriarchate of Nerses the Catholicos of Albanians(Aghvanq)—of the God-fearing and venerable prince of princes, Avag, son of Atabak Iwane, who is from Charaberd…". This twelve-line inscription most likely reflects the results of the liberation struggle of Verin Khachen led by the Zakaryans.
The preliminary analysis of the inscriptional and figural material allows us to date the monastery's foundation to the early 12th century, with its period of activity extending at least until the mid-13th century.
Fig. 7 The cross relief with figural decoration, photo by H. Petrosyan.
The condition before, during, and after the war
During the Artsakh wars, the monument was not damaged. After the occupation of Artsakh and the forced displacement of its population, however, no further information regarding the monument has emerged.
Bibliography
- Petrosyan, Yeranyan 2022 - Petrosyan H., Yeranyan N., The monumental culture of Artsakh, Yerevan.
- Petrosyan et al. 2009 - Petrosyan H., Kirakosyan L., Safaryan V., The Handaberd Monastery and its excavations, Yerevan.
The "Mandur" Monastery of Mets Shen
Artsakh