Church > The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Avdur village

The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Avdur village

Location

The Surb Astvatsatsin Church is situated in Avdur village within the Martuni region (Figs 1 and 2). However, as of September 2023, the village has been under the occupation of Azerbaijan.

Fig. 1 The general view of the church from the south, 2022, photo by H. Petrosyan.

Fig. 2 The church from the northeast, 2022, photo by H. Petrosyan.

Historical overview

According to the inscription preserved on the church's lintel, it was constructed in the year 1814.

"In 1814, through the benevolence and favor of the Almighty God, this sacred church was erected in honor of the Surb Astvatsatsin, as a manifestation of our righteous deeds. We, two brothers, Sargis Bek and Harutyun Bek from Ghaziyan village, dedicate this in memory of ourselves and our departed. To those who read: Keep us in your prayers directed to Christ. Amen" (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 The entrance lintel of the church, 2022, photo by H. Petrosyan.

Architectural-compositional examination

The church is a rectangular single-nave hall with a rectangular tabernacle located on the eastern side and a pair of sacristies. It measures 12.7 meters in length, 6.45 meters in width, and 5.7 meters in height. The vault rests on vault-bearing arches that rise from two pairs of wall pillars (Fig. 4). The roof is pitched and covered with asbestos slate. Illumination is received from three windows with different contours. The entrance is located on the south side and it is the only node of the structure with an artistic performance (Fig. 5). The entrance is made of polished stones and has a dimensional and sculptural solution that is characteristic of the 17th-19th centuries. It features pilasters with rectangular pediments rising on massive piers, and tiled buttresses decorated with conical sculpturing.

Fig. 4 The church from the interior, 2022, photo by H. Petrosyan.

Fig. 5 The general view of the entrance, 2022, photo by H. Petrosyan.

The double border surrounding the lintel features patterns resembling braided rope, while the lintel itself encompasses a series of sculptures in a cone-like shape. The construction inscription is framed in a manner reminiscent of the outline of a church structure, with its central portion adorned by an ornate cruciform sculpture (Fig. 6). Below the construction inscription, the following words from the Gospel of Matthew are engraved: "Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew, 7:7).

During the Soviet era, the church was repurposed for economic activities, and it was during this time that an additional building was constructed adjacent to the southern facade of the church.

Fig. 6 The lintel of the porch, 2022, photo by H. Petrosyan.

The condition before, during, and after the war

As of the latest available information, the Surb Astvatsatsin Church remained in satisfactory condition and was not damaged during the military operations of 2020 and 2023. There is no current information regarding its present state.

Bibliography

  1. Barkhutareants 1895 - Barkhutareants M., Artsakh, Baku.
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Avdur village
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Avdur village
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Avdur village
Artsakh