Church > The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Aygestan (Baluja) village

The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Aygestan (Baluja) village

Location

The Surb Astvatsatsin Church is situated in the southern part of Aygestan village, within the Askeran region of the Republic of Artsakh (Fig. 1). It is located in the heart of the old quarter.

Fig. 1 The church from the southwest, image is taken from the certificate of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Artsakh.

Historical overview

The Surb Astvatsatsin Church was initially constructed in 1839, but it was rebuilt on the same site in 1850. During this reconstruction, the entrance gate with the inscription detailing the construction of the original church was affixed to the north wall of the newly built church.

Makar Barkhudaryants provides information about the village and the church, mentioning: "The church is newly built, Surb Astvatsatsin, constructed entirely of cut limestone resting on four pillars, built with funds from the entire community. It features a round dome above the area where people gather to pray, and inside the southern wall, near the two windows, a stone snake is measuring 20 meters and 10 inches in length and 11 meters and 45 inches in width. The priest in charge of the church is one soul" (Barkhutareants 1895, p. 155). The explorer likely referred to the bell tower as the "round dome."

Architectural-compositional examination

The church is a rectangular hall with three naves and a vaulted ceiling, made entirely of polished local white limestone and lime mortar. It is a rare example of a church from the late period of Artsakh built entirely with polished stones. The tomb rests on two pairs of gables, wall pillars, and wall arches from the north and south (Figs. 2, 3). The church has a gable roof on the outside.

To the east of the church, there is a semi-circular tabernacle with a high stage and two adjoining sacristies. In the center of the altar, there is a small window that narrows outward.

Fig. 2 The interior from the southwest, image is taken from the certificate of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Artsakh.

Fig. 3 The interior from the northeast, image is taken from the certificate of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Artsakh.

In the northern wall, adjacent to the sacristy, there is a baptismal font in an arched alcove.

The only entrance is slightly to the west of the central part of the southern facade (Fig. 4). The church is illuminated by six windows on the western, southern, and eastern facades, with the two windows on the southern facade being larger.

The architectural decoration of the church is subtle. The only +artistically designed part is the lighter-colored entrance hall with a fan-shaped frame, on the facade of which is written:

“In 1850, the Surb Astvatsatsin Church was constructed in remembrance of the Balluja village community, with master Grigor Hakobyants being the architect behind its creation “(Fig. 5).

Fig. 4 The entrance to the church, image is taken from the certificate of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Artsakh.

Fig. 5 The construction inscription engraved on the lintel, image is taken from the certificate of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Artsakh.

The condition before, during, and after the war

During the Soviet era, the church underwent a change in function, with the bell tower-rotunda, as described by Makar Barkhudaryants, being dismantled. It wasn't until the years of Artsakh's independence that the church was reinstated for its original purpose. As part of this restoration, a new bell tower, featuring a metal structure, was erected on the pitched roof.

The Surb Astvatsatsin Church remained unharmed during the 2020 war. However, due to the military operations that occurred on September 19-20, 2023, Artsakh was entirely occupied by Azerbaijan. This led to the forced displacement of the population of Aygestan village. Unfortunately, there is currently no available information regarding the current state of the monument.

Bibliography

  1. Barkhutareants 1895 - Barkhutareants M., Artsakh, Baku.
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Aygestan (Baluja) village
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Aygestan (Baluja) village
The Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Aygestan (Baluja) village
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