Tzitzernavank Monastery
Encyclopedia
Tzitzernavank is a 5th-6th century Armenian church
and former monastery in the Qashatagh Province
of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
. The monastery is within five kilometers of the border of Armenia's province of Syunik
.
The basilica of Tzitzernavank was believed to contain relics of St. George the Dragon-Slayer
. In the past, the monastery belonged to the Tatev
diocese and is mentioned as a notable religious center by the 13th century historian Stepanos Orbelian
and Bishop Tovma Vanandetsi (1655).
In 1613, the monastery's fortified wall was repaired and its arched gateway was constructed - the building inscription in Armenian recording this act disappeared between 1989 and 1992, when the region was under the control of Azerbaijan. The church and its belltower were renovated in 1779. The building inscription in Armenian recording this renovation disappeared in 1967.
In the 19th century it served as the parish church for the adjoining peasant settlement of Zeyva, and was called St. Stephanos. Zeyva's Armenian inhabitants fled during the 1905 Armenian-Tartar war, never to return. During the Soviet period the village was renamed Gusulu and the church was unused but preserved as an historical monument. The church of St. George (St. Gevorg) was reconsecrated in October 2001 after a heavy restoration in 1999-2000, paid for by Armenian diaspora
funds, and is a venue for annual festivals honoring St. George.
. Based on the style of the doorways in its south wall, this building period has been dated to the 5th or 6th century AD. However, an alternative thesis exists that dates this stage to the 3rd century AD, and suggests that it was a pre-Christian temple. During the second stage of construction, a windowless apse was added (constructed inside the eastern end of the rectangular interior) and the upper parts of the outside walls were built. This may have happened in the 6th century. At this period, the arcades that separated the interior nave from its aisles were probably still constructed of timber. In the third period of construction, stone pillars and arches replaced them. Based on the style of the capitals, this occurred sometime between the end of the 6th century and the beginning of the 10th century.
The monastery is recognized as a native Armenian example of an “oriental” architectural type. Being a three-nave basilica, like most of those in Armenia of V-6th centuries; Tzitzernavank's central nave is only slightly taller than the lateral naves, from which it is separated by two courses of pilasters. The plan is similar to a series of Armenian basilicas like Ererouyk, Eghvard, Dvin, Ashtarak (Tziranavor), Tekor - in that it had an interior composed of three aisles or naves, the central and largest one of which was separated from the others by pillars which also helped support the roof.
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
and former monastery in the Qashatagh Province
Qashatagh Province
Qashatagh Province is one of the eight provinces of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the largest by area . Its population in 2005 was 9,800. Its capital is Berdzor City .- Geography :...
of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic , or Artsakh Republic is a de facto independent republic located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia...
. The monastery is within five kilometers of the border of Armenia's province of Syunik
Syunik
Syunik is the southernmost province of Armenia. It borders the Vayots Dzor marz to the north, Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave to the west, Karabakh to the east, and Iran to the south. Its capital is Kapan. Other important cities and towns include Goris, Sisian, Meghri, Agarak, and Dastakert...
.
History
When constructed, Tzitzernavank lay in Aghahejk, one of the 12 regions of the historical Armenian province and principality of Syunik (Siwnik). By the 15th century Aghahejk had spit into two districts: the northern half was called Khozhoraberd; the southern half, containing Tzitzernavank, was called Kashatagh.The basilica of Tzitzernavank was believed to contain relics of St. George the Dragon-Slayer
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
. In the past, the monastery belonged to the Tatev
Tatev
The Monastery of Tatev is a 9th century Armenian monastery located in the Tatev village in Syunik Province in southern Armenia. The term "Tatev" usually refers to the monastery. It stands on a plateau on the edge of the deep gorge of the Orotan River...
diocese and is mentioned as a notable religious center by the 13th century historian Stepanos Orbelian
Stepanos Orbelian
Stepanos Orbelian was a thirteenth century Armenian historian and the Metropolitan of the province of Syunik. He is known for writing his well-researched Patmut'yun Nahangin Sisakan, or History of the Province of Syunik.-Biography:...
and Bishop Tovma Vanandetsi (1655).
In 1613, the monastery's fortified wall was repaired and its arched gateway was constructed - the building inscription in Armenian recording this act disappeared between 1989 and 1992, when the region was under the control of Azerbaijan. The church and its belltower were renovated in 1779. The building inscription in Armenian recording this renovation disappeared in 1967.
In the 19th century it served as the parish church for the adjoining peasant settlement of Zeyva, and was called St. Stephanos. Zeyva's Armenian inhabitants fled during the 1905 Armenian-Tartar war, never to return. During the Soviet period the village was renamed Gusulu and the church was unused but preserved as an historical monument. The church of St. George (St. Gevorg) was reconsecrated in October 2001 after a heavy restoration in 1999-2000, paid for by Armenian diaspora
Armenian diaspora
The Armenian diaspora refers to the Armenian communities outside the Republic of Armenia and self proclaimed de facto independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic...
funds, and is a venue for annual festivals honoring St. George.
Architecture
The church has no early building inscriptions, but based on its appearance it is believed to have been constructed in three main stages. Its earliest form appears to have been a simple rectangular basilica, without an apseApse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
. Based on the style of the doorways in its south wall, this building period has been dated to the 5th or 6th century AD. However, an alternative thesis exists that dates this stage to the 3rd century AD, and suggests that it was a pre-Christian temple. During the second stage of construction, a windowless apse was added (constructed inside the eastern end of the rectangular interior) and the upper parts of the outside walls were built. This may have happened in the 6th century. At this period, the arcades that separated the interior nave from its aisles were probably still constructed of timber. In the third period of construction, stone pillars and arches replaced them. Based on the style of the capitals, this occurred sometime between the end of the 6th century and the beginning of the 10th century.
The monastery is recognized as a native Armenian example of an “oriental” architectural type. Being a three-nave basilica, like most of those in Armenia of V-6th centuries; Tzitzernavank's central nave is only slightly taller than the lateral naves, from which it is separated by two courses of pilasters. The plan is similar to a series of Armenian basilicas like Ererouyk, Eghvard, Dvin, Ashtarak (Tziranavor), Tekor - in that it had an interior composed of three aisles or naves, the central and largest one of which was separated from the others by pillars which also helped support the roof.
Etymology
There are two differing opinions on the etymology of the name Tzitzernavank. Some authors state that the name originates from the word "tzitzernak" which means the bird "swallow" in Armenian, and point to once abundant swallow nests inside the ruined church of St. George. Others believe that the name derives from the word "tzitzern", which in Armenian means "little finger" - presumably a reference to the relics of St. George that were kept in the church.Publications
P. Cuneo, "La basilique de Cicernavank dans le Karabagh." Revues des Etudes zrmeniennes NS: IV, 1967.External links
- Tzitzernavank, The Armenian Studies Program at Csu Fresno
- Dzidzernavank, Adriano Alpago NovelloAdriano Alpago NovelloAdriano Alpago Novello was an Italian architect, art historian and professor. In 1968 he founded the Center for the Research of Armenian Medieval Architecture at Politecnico di Milano, the "Documenti di architettura Armena" and "Ricerca sull' architettura Armena"...
, ARCHITETTURA ARMENA - Catalogo della MOSTRA DI ARCHITETTURA ARMENA tenuta a Bergamo, presso il Palazzo della Ragione, 1975 - Torino - Some photographs of Tzitzernavank at RAA official site
- 1700 years of Christian Armenia / Tsitsernavank (in Russian)
- A Brief History of the Art and Architecture of Artsakh — Nagorno Karabakh, by P. Donabedian, Dr. L. Durnovo, Dr. A. Yakobson, Dr. B. Ulubabian, S. Karapetian and B. Baratov
- 3D Model of The Monastery