Ganchvor monastery
Encyclopedia
Ganchvor Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic church in Famagusta
, Cyprus.
is said to have studied.
Unused since 1571, it was preserved by the Department of Antiquities in 1907 and in 1936 it was leased to the Armenian community of Famagusta
for a period of 99 years. After repairs between 1937-1944, the first Liturgy was held on 14 January 1945 by Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni, but it was partially burnt by extremist Turkish-Cypriots in March 1957. After been repaired, it was used as a church until 1962. During the 1963-1964 intercommunal troubles, it was taken over by extremist Turkish-Cypriots and then in August 1974 by the Turkish military. Even after the partial lifting of movement restrictions by the Turkish-occupying regime in 2003, it was still inaccessible, as it was located within a "military area". It is now accessible, since late 2005 ,.
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
, Cyprus.
History
The church is located in the north-west side of the walled city of Famagusta, opposite the Carmelite church. It is a fortress-like building built in 1346 by Armenian refugees from Cilicia. It was built in a typical Armenian fashion but with Cypriot masonry and was part of an important monastic and cultural centre, where Saint Nerses LampronatsiNerses of Lambron
Saint Nerses of Lambron was the Archbishop of Tarsus in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia who is remembered as one of the most significant figures in Armenian literature and ecclesiastical history.-Life:...
is said to have studied.
Unused since 1571, it was preserved by the Department of Antiquities in 1907 and in 1936 it was leased to the Armenian community of Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
for a period of 99 years. After repairs between 1937-1944, the first Liturgy was held on 14 January 1945 by Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni, but it was partially burnt by extremist Turkish-Cypriots in March 1957. After been repaired, it was used as a church until 1962. During the 1963-1964 intercommunal troubles, it was taken over by extremist Turkish-Cypriots and then in August 1974 by the Turkish military. Even after the partial lifting of movement restrictions by the Turkish-occupying regime in 2003, it was still inaccessible, as it was located within a "military area". It is now accessible, since late 2005 ,.