The Surb Hovhannes Church of Norshen

The Surb Hovhannes Church of Norshen

Location

The church is situated in the center of Norshen village, in the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 The general view of the church, photo by T. Gasparyan.

Historical overview

The village, formerly known as Enkijan, is home to the church whose construction is documented by Makar Barkhudaryants. He states, "...the church was built by Mr. Galust Gabrielian at his own expense" (Barkhutareants 1895, 112). V. Balayan notes that the church was constructed in 1876 by master builder Galust Sahakyan, who was invited from Shushi (Balayan 2020, 479).

Architectural-compositional examination

The church is a single-nave structure with the only entrance located on the south side (Figs. 2, 3).  It features a vaulted design with sacristies in the interior (Fig. 4).

Fig. 2 The general view of the church from the south, photo by T. Gasparyan.

Fig. 3 The general view of the church from the west, photo by T. Gasparyan.

Fig. 4 The interior of the church, photo by T. Gasparyan.

The condition before and after the war

The church was not damaged during the Artsakh wars. In 2013, it was renovated with the support of Stepanakert resident Komitas Karapetyan (Balayan 2020, 479). During the renovation, the church was completely covered with white limestone, altering its appearance. A small bell tower was added to the roof. The western facade of the church features columns and arches. In 2017, a khachkar created by the khachkar maker Varazdat Hambardzumyan was installed in the churchyard (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 The khachkar placed in the church yard, photo by T. Gasparyan.

Bibliography

  1. Balayan 2020 - Balayan V., Outlines of the History of Settlements of the Republic of Artsakh, Yerevan.
  2. Barkhutareants 1895 - Barkhutareants M., Artsakh, Baku.
The Surb Hovhannes Church of Norshen
The Surb Hovhannes Church of Norshen
The Surb Hovhannes Church of Norshen
Artsakh