Nor Varagavank () is a 13th-century
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 ...
monastic ensemble situated 3.5 km southwest of the village
Varagavan in 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 ...
of Armenia. The monastery is situated upon a high hill and is surrounded by forested mountains and picturesque ravines.
History and Architecture
The monastic complex was established by
King David II Kyurikian of northern
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 ' ...
in 1193-1198 and expanded by his grandson Vasak II in 1224–1237. The Kyurikians were a junior branch of Armenia's aristocratic
Bagratuni family, whose domain, known as the
Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget, spanned medieval Armenia's provinces of
Gugark
Gugark ( hy, Գուգարք, lat, Gogarene, Greek: ''Γογαρινή'') was the 13th province of the ancient kingdom of Armenia. It now comprises parts of northern Armenia, northeast Turkey, and southwest Georgia.
Etymology
Etymologically ...
,
Artsakh and
Utik
Utik ( hy, Ուտիք, also known as Uti, Utiq, or Outi) was a historic province of the Kingdom of Armenia. It was ceded to Caucasian Albania following the partition of Armenia between Sassanid Persia and the Eastern Roman Empire in 387 AD. Most ...
. The monastery was center of a bishopric, and played an important role in the ecclesiastical life of medieval Armenia. The monastery also served as Kyurikian's family burial vault and mausoleum.
In early sources the monastic ensemble was called Anapat (hermitage). It was renamed Nor Varagavank (meaning “New Varagavank”) when
Vaspurakan
Vaspurakan (, Western Armenian pronunciation: ''Vasbouragan'') was the eighth province of the ancient kingdom of Armenia, which later became an independent kingdom during the Middle Ages, centered on Lake Van. Located in what is now southeaster ...
's famed
Varagavank monastery in
Western Armenia
Western Armenia (Western Armenian: Արեւմտեան Հայաստան, ''Arevmdian Hayasdan'') is a term to refer to the eastern parts of Turkey (formerly the Ottoman Empire) that are part of the historical homeland of the Armenians. Weste ...
near the
Lake Van
Lake Van ( tr, Van Gölü; hy, Վանա լիճ, translit=Vana lič̣; ku, Gola Wanê) is the largest lake in Turkey. It lies in the far east of Turkey, in the provinces of Van and Bitlis in the Armenian highlands. It is a saline soda lake ...
was threatened by the Mongols. Varagavank's Patriarch Ghukas brought to Anapat holy relics from Vaspurakan in 1213, such as a piece of the True Cross brought to Armenia by the holy virgins
Hripsime and Gayane.
The most important structure of the complex is the church of the Holy Virgin. According to the inscriptions on its walls and information provided by the Armenian 13th-century historian
Kirakos Gandzaketsi
Kirakos Gandzaketsi (; c. 1200/1202–1271) was an Armenian historian of the 13th century S. Peter Cowe. Kirakos Ganjakec'i or Arewelc'i // Christian-Muslim Relations. A Bibliographical History / Edited by David Thomas & Alex Mallet. — BRILL, 2 ...
, it was built in 1224–1237 by David's grandson Vasak II Kyurikian, and was consecrated in 1240. The church of the Holy Virgin was designed by the architect Hovhan who came from the Armenian capital city of
Ani
Ani ( hy, Անի; grc-gre, Ἄνιον, ''Ánion''; la, Abnicum; tr, Ani) is a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey's province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia.
Between 961 and 1045, it was the capital of the ...
. The church is rectangular from the outside (10.25 m x 15.40 m) and cruciform from the inside. The church has two entrances. The western entrance differs by its magnificent reliefs carved on multi-colored stones of the walls.
The Surb Nshan (Holy Sign) chapel is situated in the southeastern part of the monastic complex. It is the most ancient structure of the ensemble. The chapel has two apses. It also had a vaulted gabled roof, which has not been preserved. On both sides of the western entry stand two splendidly ornamented
khachkars. The apses are illuminated by two windows on the eastern façade. They are joined by common belt, with relief images of animals and stylized vegetable decor.
Superbly-carved medieval
khachkars can be found in various parts of the complex. Especially noteworthy among them is a big
khachkar standing near the vestibule of the church of the Holy Virgin. It was created by master Vardan in 1620.
Nor Varagavank is known to have hosted Archbishop Hovhanes Tvetsi, an important Armenian religious and cultural figure of the 13th century who built the main the Holy Virgin church's narthex between 1237 and 1261. In the beginning of the 19th century, the monastery was headed by Grigor Manucharian, who in 1804–1828, together with a detachment of armed volunteers under his command, took an active part in freeing Eastern Armenia from foreign rule.
[Brady Kiesling, Raffi Kojian. Rediscovering Armenia: Guide. 2005]
Gallery
Nor Varaga-1.JPG, Nor Varagavank
N.Varagavank-Church Holy_Virgin.JPG, Church of the Mother-of-God (Holy Virgin) of Nor Varagavank
N.Varagavank-crosses.JPG, Portal of the Church of the Mother-of-God with engraved crosses
N.Varagavank-facade.JPG, Facade of the Church of the Mother-of-God
N.Varagavank-Holy Virgin.JPG, Church of the Mother-of-God (Holy Virgin) in Nor Varagavank
N.Varagavank-Jerusalem Cross.JPG, A Jerusalem Cross engraved near the entrance to the Church of the Mother-of-God, Nor Varagavank
References
Bibliography
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External links
Armeniapedia: Nor VaragavankAbout Nor Varagavank
{{Armenian Churches
Christian monasteries in Armenia
Tourist attractions in Tavush Province
Buildings and structures in Tavush Province