The Surb Saribek (Srabek) sanctuary of Karashen (Dashushen)

Location

Karashen village is situated in the Askeran region of the Republic of Artsakh. It is located 23 kilometers from Askeran and 6 kilometers from Stepanakert. Within the village's territory, one can find notable landmarks, including the Surb Astvatsatsin Church (https://monumentwatch.org/en/monument/the-surb-astvatsatsin-church-of-karashen-dashushen/) and the old cemetery, the Karin Jur spring (https://monumentwatch.org/en/monument/the-karin-jur-spring-monument-of-karashen-dashushen-village/), the Bridge of Tadeos(https://monumentwatch.org/en/monument/qarashen-villages-tadeos-bridge/), and The Surb Saribek (Srabek) sanctuary. The village has been occupied by the Azerbaijani army.

E. Lalayan also supplies information about the sanctuary, highlighting that the primary day of devotion at the shrine coincides with the Vardavar holiday (Lalayan 1897, 201). When discussing the veneration of saints, Lalayan recounts the Saribek sanctuary tradition, wherein Turkish brothers and sisters are hosted by a priest from Jerusalem and witness him suspended in mid-air while engaged in prayer. Moved by this extraordinary miracle, the Turkish siblings embraced Christianity and sought refuge in Varanda, accompanied by a newly converted servant. Pursued by the Turks, they met their martyrdom about 10 versts away (one verst being equivalent to 1066.8 meters) from Shushi, on a mountain that now serves as their pilgrimage site. The brother, originally named Martiros, was renamed Srabek due to his martyrdom by the sword, and over time, his name was distorted to Saribek. In the valley, beneath the cover of bushes, lies the spot where the servant met his martyrdom, also a site of pilgrimage. Not far from Saribek stands the location of the sister's martyrdom, and the stone from that place was relocated to the Saribek site (Lalayan 1897, 181).

An alternate tale, as documented by Petrushevsky, portrays Saribek as a noble-hearted man who lived during Temur's incursions. Soldiers from the Chagatai Khanate in Middle Asia sought to capture his sister and subject her to slavery and dishonor, but her brother reclaimed her and, in the process, succumbed to his injuries (Petrushevsky 1930, 22).

When discussing the veneration of trees in Varanda, Lalayan also refers to the three Elm trees of Saribek, among the holy places believed to have the power to cure various diseases and grant wishes. He also recounts an incident from 40 years ago when a resident broke a branch from one of the trees and subsequently became bedridden due to illness who now makes an annual pilgrimage to Surb Saribek to offer vows in the hopes of curing his ailment (Lalayan 1897, 161). Lalayan also highlights the 100-year-old Elm tree of Saribek among the trees believed to possess healing properties. He provides a detailed description of the ritual used to cure impetigo (herpes) disease (Lalayan 1897, 163). Additionally, Lalayan notes that in Saribek, the rocks in the upper section of the sanctuary are considered to have curative properties, and a special ritual is performed around them to alleviate coughs (Lalayan 1897, 155, fig. 3).