Diocese of Tavush ( hy, Տավուշի թեմ ''T'avushi t'em''), is one of the newest dioceses of the

Armenian Apostolic Church , native_name_lang = hy , icon = Armenian Apostolic Church logo.svg , icon_width = 100px , icon_alt = , image = Էջմիածնի_Մայր_Տաճար.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , a ...

covering the

Tavush Province Tavush ( hy, Տավուշ, ) is a province of Armenia located at the northeast of Armenia, bordered by Georgia from the north and Azerbaijan from the east. Internally, Tavush borders the Gegharkunik Province from the south, Kotayk Province from ...

Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...

. The diocesan headquarters are located in the town of

Ijevan Ijevan ( hy, Իջևան) is a town and urban municipal community in Armenia serving as the administrative centre of the Tavush Province. It is located at the center of the region, at the foot of Ijevan ridge of Gugark Mountains, on the shores of ...

. The seat of the bishop is the Surp Nerses Cathedral of Ijevan which was consecrated in 1998. The diocese was established in 2010, when it was separated from the

Diocese of Gougark The Diocese of Gougark ( hy, Գուգարաց թեմ ''Gougarats t'em''), is a diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church encompassing the northern Lori Province of Armenia. It is named after the historic province of Gugark; the 13th province of th ...

. The prelacy building is located on the Yerevanian Street in the town of Ijevan, on the left bank of

Aghstev river The Aghstafa (also, ''Aghstafachay'' ( az, Ağstafaçay)) or Aghstev ( hy, Աղստև, Aghstev) is a river in Armenia and Azerbaijan, and is a right tributary of the Kura. It is long, and has a drainage basin of .Bagrat Galstanyan Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan - Armenian: Բագրատ Եպիսկոպոս Գալստանեան (born May 20, 1971), is an Armenian theologian and a cleric of the Armenian Apostolic Church who is currently serving as primate of the Diocese of Tavush. ...

who is in service since June 2015. The diocese has 3 priests who serve the area serving the 31 acting places of worship within the

. The diocese has the following departments: *Administration *Christian education centre *Media *Youth centre *Social *Economy

Active churches

As of 2016, the diocese has 17 churches, 3 monasteries and 9 chapels acting under its jurisdiction.Historical review of the Diocese of Tavush
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Churches

* Holy Mother of God Church, Voskepar, 7th century *Surp Sarkis Church,

Noyemberyan Noyemberyan ( hy, Նոյեմբերյան) is a town and urban municipal community in the northeast of Armenia, within the Tavush Province. It is located 2 km west of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and 9 km south of the Armenia-Georgia bo ...

, 1848 *Saint George's Church, Lusadzor, 19th century *Holy Mother of God Church,

Tavush Tavush ( hy, wikt:Տավուշ, Տավուշ, ) is a administrative divisions of Armenia, province of Armenia located at the northeast of Armenia, bordered by Georgia (country), Georgia from the north and Azerbaijan from the east. Internally, Tav ...

, 1902 *Surp Nerses Shnorhali Cathedral,

, 1997 *Surp Sarkis Church, Voskepar, 1999 *Saint Gayane Church, Voskevan, 2003 *Holy Cross Church,

Dilijan Dilijan ( hy, Դիլիջան) is a spa town and urban municipal community in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The town is one of the most important resorts in Armenia, situated within the Dilijan National Park. The forested town is home to num ...

, 2010 *Holy Mother of God Church, Movses, 2011 *Surp Grigor Church,

Barekamavan Barekamavan ( hy, Բարեկամավան) is a village in the Noyemberyan Municipality of the Tavush Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of ...

, 2011 *Saint Anna Church,

, 2011 *Holy Saviour's Church, Ijevan, 2012 *Saint David Church, Khashtarak, 2013 *Saint George's Church, Berkaber, 2013 *Surp Hovhannes Church,

Verin Karmiraghbyur Verin Karmiraghbyur ( hy, Վերին Կարմիրաղբյուր) is a village in the Berd Municipality of the Tavush Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armeni ...

, 2013 *Surp Hovhannes Church, Koghb, 2014 *Surp Grigor Church,

Gandzakar Gandzakar ( hy, Գանձաքար) is a village in the Ijevan Municipality of the Tavush Province of Armenia, located to the immediate south of the town of Ijevan. Toponymy The village was known as ''Aghdan'' until 1978.Kiesling, ''Rediscover ...

, 2014 *Surp Hovhannes Church, Berd, 2014 *Saint Helena Church,

Yenokavan Yenokavan ( hy, Ենոքավան) is a village and summer resort in the Ijevan Municipality of the Tavush Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highla ...

File:Vospekar church.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Voskepar, 7th century File:Surb Astvatsatsin church in Movses-3.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Movses

Monasteries

Haghartsin Monastery Haghartsin () is a 13th-century monastery located near the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries (in the 12th under Khachatur of Taron); much of it under the patronage of the Bagratu ...

near

, 10-13th centuries *

Makaravank Makaravank () is a 10th-13th century church complex near the Achajur village of Tavush Province, Armenia, located on the slope of Paitatap Mountain. Though the monastery is no longer used for services, the complex is well preserved. There are 4 c ...

Monastery near

Achajur Achajur ( hy, Աչաջուր) is a village in the Tavush Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of wor ...

, 10-13th centuries *

Goshavank Goshavank (; meaning "Monastery of Gosh"; previously known as Nor Getik) is a 12th- or 13th-century Armenian monastery located in the village of Gosh in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The impressive monastery which has remained in relatively go ...

Monastery near Gosh, 12-13th centuries File:Haghartsin monastery 2015.jpg, Haghartsin Monastery near Dilijan, 10-13th centuries File:Makaravank Monastery, Armenia.jpg, Makaravank Monastery near Achajur, 10-13th centuries File:Goshavank View.JPG, Goshavank Monastery near Gosh, 12-13th centuries

Chapels

*Holy Mother of God Chapel, Ijevan, 1998 *Surp Hovhannes Chapel, Ijevan, 2002 *Holy Mother of God Chapel,

Sarigyugh Sarigyugh ( hy, Սարիգյուղ) is a village in the Ijevan Municipality of the Tavush Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western A ...

, 2004 *Saint Anna Chapel,

Bagratashen Bagratashen ( hy, Բագրատաշեն) is a village in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The village is located near the border to Georgia, with the Georgian village of Sadakhlo being located on the other side of the border. Etymology The vil ...

, 2004 *Holy Cross Chapel, Sevkar, 2005 *Saint Vartan Chapel, Aknaghbyur, 2007 *Surp Hovhannes Chapel,

Ayrum Ayrum ( hy, Այրում), is a town and urban community in the Tavush Province of Armenia, located at a road distance of northeast of the capital Yerevan and north of the provincial capital Ijevan. It is situated on the shores of Debed river ...

, 2009 *Holy Mother of God Chapel,

Nerkin Tsaghkavan Tsaghkavan ( hy, Ծաղկավան) is a village in the Ijevan Municipality of the Tavush Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western A ...

, 2010 *Holy Mother of God Chapel, Kirants, 2010

Inactive/ruined churches and monasteries

This is an incomplete list of inactive or ruined churches and monasteries in the territory regulated by the Diocese of Tavush: * Tsrviz Chapel near Lusahovit, 5th century * Holy Mother of God Church, Voskepar, 7th century *Surp Hovhannes Church (Srbanes) near Yenokavan, 7th century *

Kirants Monastery Kirants Monastery is an 8th-century Armenian monastery located about 10 kilometers southwest of Kirants, Armenia, Kirants village in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The story behind Kirants is extraordinary. This church, unlike most monasteries ...

near Kirants, 8th century *

Jukhtak Vank Jukhtak Vank ( hy, Ջուխտակ վանք) is an 11th– or 12th-century monastery situated in a clearing within Dilijan National Park, 3.2 km northwest from the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pro ...

Monastery, near Dilijan, 11-12th centuries * Samsonavank Monastery near Kirants, 12-13th centuries *Skhmurad Monastery near

Verin Tsaghkavan Verin Tsaghkavan ( hy, Վերին Ծաղկավան) is a village in the Berd Municipality of the Tavush Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands ...

, 12-13th centuries * Aghavnavank Monastery near

Aghavnavank Aghavnavank ( hy, Աղավնավանք) is a village in the Dilijan Municipality of the Tavush Province in Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Weste ...

, 12-13th centuries *Mshkavank Monastery near Koghb, 12-13th centuries *Surp Sarkis Chapel near Yenokavan, 12-13th centuries *

Nor Varagavank Nor Varagavank () is a 13th-century Armenian Apostolic Church monastic ensemble situated 3.5 km southwest of the village Varagavan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The monastery is situated upon a high hill and is surrounded by forested m ...

Monastery near

Varagavan Varagavan ( hy, Վարագավան) is a village in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The 13th-century Nor Varagavank Nor Varagavank () is a 13th-century Armenian Apostolic Church monastic ensemble situated 3.5 km southwest of the village Var ...

, 12-14th centuries *

Matosavank Matosavank ( hy, Մաթոսավանք) is 13th-century small Armenian monastery, hidden in a forested area of Dilijan National Park 3 km northwest from the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It sits close to the monastery of Juk ...

Monastery near Dilijan, 1247 *Khachbazar Monastery near

, 1286 *

Arakelots Monastery Arakelots Monastery ( hy, Մշո Սուրբ Առաքելոց վանք, ''Mšo Surb Arakelots vank' '', "Holy Apostles Monastery of Mush") was an Armenian monastery in the historic province of Taron, 11 km south-east of Mush (Muş), in pres ...

near Kirants, 13th century *Khoranashat Monastery near Chinari, 13th century *Srvegh Monastery near Aygehovit, 13th century *Kaptavank Monastery near Chinchin, 13th century *Khndzorut Church near Artsvaberd, 13th century *Deghdznut Monastery near Acharkut, 13th century *Mother Mary's Surp Nshan Church, Navur, 1286 *Okonakhach Church near

, 1863 *Holy Mother of God Church,

, 1900s File:Chapel Trvisi or Crvisi (or Moro-Dzoro) - 6.jpg, Tsrviz Chapel near Lusahovit, 5th century File:Ոսկեպարի Սուրբ Աստվածածին.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Voskepar, 7th century File:Srbanes church in Yenoqavan (3).jpg, Surp Hovhannes Church (Srbanes) near Yenokavan, 7th century File:Kirants-raffi kojian-DCP 4582.JPG, Kirants Monastery near Kirants, 8th century File:2014 Prowincja Tawusz, Klasztor Jukhtakwank (11).jpg, Jukhtak Vank Monastery, near Dilijan, 11-12th centuries File:Shkhmurad Monastery 14.jpg, Skhmurad Monastery near Verin Tsaghkavan, 12-13th centuries File:Aghavnavank Monastery 4.jpg, Aghavnavank Monastery near Aghavnavank, 12-13th centuries File:Mshkavank 26.JPG, Mshkavank Monastery near Koghb, 12-13th centuries File:Ht152990.JPG, Surp Sarkis Chapel near Yenokavan, 12-13th centuries File:N.Varagavank-Holy Virgin.JPG, Nor Varagavank Monastery near Varagavan, 12-14th centuries File:Matosavank Inscription.JPG, Matosavank Monastery near Dilijan, 1247 File:Araqeloc Monastery in the Tavush Province of Armenia.jpg, Arakelots Monastery near Kirants, 13th century File:Khoranashat 19.jpg, Khoranashat Monastery near Chinari, 13th century File:Սրվեղի վանք27.JPG, Srvegh Monastery near Aygehovit, 13th century File:Կապտավանք, Չինչին.JPG, Kaptavank Monastery near Chinchin, 13th century File:Deghdznut Monastery.jpg, Deghdznut Monastery near Acharkut, 13th century File:Mariam Mayri vank-4.jpg, Mother Mary's Surp Nshan Church, Navur, 1286 File:Օկոնախաչ.jpg, Okonakhach Church near Yenokavan, 1863

Primates

*Archimandrite Torgom Tonikyan (as vicar, 10 December 2010 - 20 May 2012) *Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan (20 May 2012 - 20 June 2015) *Bishop

Bagrat Galstanyan Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan - Armenian: Բագրատ Եպիսկոպոս Գալստանեան (born May 20, 1971), is an Armenian theologian and a cleric of the Armenian Apostolic Church who is currently serving as primate of the Diocese of Tavush. ...

(20 June 2015 - )

References

{{coord missing, Armenia

Christianity in Armenia Tavush Province Oriental Orthodox dioceses in Armenia