Baghdasar Arzoumanian (1916 - 2001) ( hy, Բաղդասար Արզումանյան, also Bagdasar, Paghtasar, Paghtassar, Baghdik, Bagdik, Arzumanian, Arzoumanyan, Arzumanyan) was an Armenian architect and designer based in

Yerevan Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and i ...

, Armenia. He was the author of a large ''corpus'' of civil and religious buildings as well as many smaller design works.

Education and background

Baghdasar Arzoumanian was born in v. Mutsk (formerly Mazra, Bardzravan) of

Syunik Province Syunik ( hy, Սյունիք, ) is the southernmost province of Armenia. It is bordered by the Vayots Dzor Province to the north, Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic exclave to the west, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south. It ...

, Armenia. From 1928 to 1936 he studied at the Technical School after Alexander Tamanyan. In 1938 he was admitted to the Constructions Department of the Institute for Polytechnical Sciences of Yerevan. In 1942 he was recruited into the Soviet army and took part in World War II. He served in the army until 1946 when he returned to Yerevan to continue his studies. He graduated from the Institute in 1949. During his professional career he worked with "Yerevan Project" Institute and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and provided valuable input into 20th century Armenian architecture. He died on November 19, 2001 in Yerevan. Bishop Paren Avetikian visited the family of the architect to present the condolences of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and

Karekin II Catholicos Karekin II ( hy, Գարեգին Բ, also spelled Garegin; born 21 August 1951) is the current Catholicos of All Armenians, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In 2013 he was unanimously elected the Oriental Orthodox he ...

Catholicos of All Armenians The Catholicos of All Armenians (plural Catholicoi) ( hy, Ամենայն Հայոց Կաթողիկոս; see #Other names), is the chief bishop and spiritual leader of Armenia's national church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the worldwide Arme ...

Civil buildings

Arzoumanian is the author of many civil buildings in Armenia. Below is a list of his most important buildings: * City hall of Vanadzor and Hotel Gougark in the

Hayk Square Hayk Square ( hy, Հայքի Հրապարակ ''Hayki Hraparak''), is the large central town square in Vanadzor, Armenia. It is intersected by the Tigran Mets Avenue from the southeast the northwest, and the Movses Khorenatsi Street from the nort ...

(then known as Kirov Square) of the city of

Vanadzor Vanadzor ( hy, Վանաձոր) is an urban municipal community and the third-largest city in Armenia, serving as the capital of Lori Province in the northern part of the country. It is located about north of the capital Yerevan. As of the 2011 cen ...

(coauthor: Hovhannes Margarian), completed during the 1950s. * Erebuni Museum (1968, coauthor: Shmavon Azatian). * Museum dedicated to 2450th anniversary of establishment of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. * Metro Station "David of Sasoun", hy, Սասունցի Դավիթ (coauthors: Sargis Nersisian and Areg Israyelian). * Degustation Hall of the

Yerevan Brandy Factory Yerevan Brandy Company ( (''Yerevani Konyaki Gortsaran'')), commonly known with its famous brand "ArArAt", is the leading enterprise of Armenia for the production of cognac. It was founded in 1887, during the period of the Russian Empire. After t ...

(coauthors: Sargis Nersisian and Hasmik Alexanian). * Yerevan Cable-way Station. File:Vanadzor-Qaghaqapetaran.jpg, City hall of

File:Vanadzor - Hotel Gougark on the Central Square.jpg, Hotel Gougark in

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author/coauthor of the RA Police building in

, various apartment buildings, reconstruction of

Moscow Cinema Moscow Cinema ( hy, Մոսկվա կինոթատրոն ''Moskva kinotatron''), is a cinema hall in the Armenian capital Yerevan, located at the Charles Aznavour Square, adjacent to Abovyan Street. History and structure The cinema was opened in 19 ...

. He is author of numerous memorials dedicated to the victory in the World War II that are located in various parts 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 world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...

Service to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (1956–2001)

Early works

* Vanatoon (Monastic Residence) – 1978 * Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum – 1982 File:Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum.jpg, Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum at the Mother See.

Design works

Along with his architectural works, Baghdasar Arzoumanian left many design works.

Khachkars and memorials

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author of many khachkars and memorials. Many of them are located on the grounds of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (i.e. Motherland-Diaspora Memorial). He is also the author of memorial in the Monastery of

Geghard Geghard ( hy, Գեղարդ, meaning "spear") is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protec ...

, memorial and khachkars next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese. File:Khackar next to the prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese.JPG, Khachkar next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese File:Khachkar at the Prelacy.JPG, Khachkar next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese File:Prelacy Khachkar - Baghdasar Arzoumanian.JPG, Khachkar next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese File:Armenia-Diaspora Memorial.jpg, Baghdasar Arzoumanian at Motherland-Diaspora Memorial of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Jewellery works

The Golden Alphabet (1976) and the Golden Cross (1979) of Baghdasar Arzoumanian are very famous all over Armenia and symbolise its past and present. These works are kept in the Pontifical Residence of the

. Among other works are: * State Emblem of the Soviet Armenia (1981) * Souvenir dedicated to the 30th anniversary of service of

Vasken I Vazgen I also Vazken I of Bucharest, (), born Levon Garabed Baljian ( hy, Լևոն Կարապետ Աբրահամի Պալճյան; September 20, 1908 – August 18, 1994) was the Catholicos of All Armenians between 1955 and 1994, for a total of 39 ...

(1985) The list continues with various crosiers, rings, the liturgical dressing of the

. Arzoumanian is author of the design of catholicosal medals St. Gregory the Illuminator, St. Sahak – St. Mesrop, and St. Nerses Shnorhali ( Nerses the Gracious). File:Golden Alphabet.jpg, Golden Alphabet of Baghdasar Arzoumanian File:Golden Cross.jpg, Golden Cross of Baghdasar Arzoumanian File:Skih.jpg, Chalice of the

(1965) File:Asan---1962.jpg, Crosier ( hy, ասան) of the

(1962) File:PATRIARCHAL APOSTOLIC PANAGIA.jpg , Patriarchal Panagia File:Medal---St-Gregory-the-Illuminator.jpg, St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin File:Medal---St-Sahak-St-Mesrop.jpg, St. Sahak – St. Mesrop Medal of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin File:Medal---Nerses-Shnorhali.jpg, St. Nerses Shnorhali Medal of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Interior design

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author of the Throne Hall of the

=Iconostases

= Besides iconostases of the churches of his own design, Arzoumanian is the author of the iconostases of following churches: * St. Sarkis Vicarial Church of

, Armenia (authors of renovation: Rafayel Israyelian and Artsrun Galikyan), * St. Catherine Armenian Church of

Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...

, Russia.

Graphical works

There are a number of graphical works by Baghdasar Arzoumanian which include design of Etchmiadzin Monthly, Catholicosal Decrees, designs of various books, friendly jests. Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the graphical designer and the author of the text of the book "Armenian Churches".

Tombstones

Baghasar Arzoumanian is the author of the tombstones of: *

Vazgen I Vazgen I also Vazken I of Bucharest, (), born Levon Garabed Baljian ( hy, Լևոն Կարապետ Աբրահամի Պալճյան; September 20, 1908 – August 18, 1994) was the Catholicos of All Armenians between 1955 and 1994, for a total of 3 ...

, *

Karekin I Karekin I ( Armenian: ) (August 27, 1932 – June 29, 1999) served as the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1994 and 1999. Previously, he served as the Catholicos of Cilicia from 1983 to 1994 as Karekin II ( Armenian: ). ...

, *

Saint Mesrob In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term ''saint'' depends on the context and denomination. In Catholic, Eastern Ortho ...

Mashtots. File:Tomb of Vasken I - Catholicos of All Armenians.JPG, Tombstone of

File:Tomb of Karekin I.jpg, Tombstone of

File:Tomb of St Mesrop Mashtots in Oshakan.JPG, Tombstone of St.

Mesrop Mashtots Mesrob or Mesrop ( hy, Մեսրոպ) is an Armenian given name. Mesrob / Mesrop may refer to: * Mesrop Mashtots, also Saint Mesrop, Armenian monk, theologian and linguist. Inventor of the Armenian alphabet ** Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient M ...

Other works

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author of the "Dpratoun" building in

Oshakan Oshakan ( hy, Օշական) is a major village in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia located 8 kilometers southwest from Ashtarak. It is well known to historians and pilgrims of the Armenian Apostolic Church as the site of the grave of Mesrop Mas ...

, Armenia. He is also the designer of the entrance door of the Residence of the

Churches

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author of 8 Armenian churches and 2 renovation projects.

Renovation projects

Arzoumanian is the author of renovation of the following churches: * St. John the Baptist Church of

(entire renovation and the bell-tower), * St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of the Kinali Island,

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in ...

. File:St John The Baptist Church of Yerevan.jpg, St. John the Baptist Church of Yerevan.

New churches

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the architect of the following churches: * St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Odessa, Ukraine (1995), * St. Sarkis Church of Nork District of

, Armenia (1999), * Holy Resurrection Church of Nerkin Dvin, Armenia, * Holy Resurrection Church of

Spitak Spitak ( hy, Սպիտակ), is a town and urban municipal community in the northern Lori Province of Armenia. It is north of the capital, Yerevan, and west of the provincial center, Vanadzor. Spitak was entirely destroyed during the devastati ...

, Armenia (1999), * Holy Martyrs Church of Kashatagh,

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Artsakh, officially the Republic of Artsakh () or the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (),, is a breakaway state in the South Caucasus whose territory is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. Artsakh controls a part of the former N ...

(2002, the church was consecrated after his death), * St. Hakob (James) Church of

Gyumri Gyumri ( hy, Գյումրի, ) is an urban municipal community and the second-largest city in Armenia, serving as the administrative center of Shirak Province in the northwestern part of the country. By the end of the 19th century, when the city w ...

, Armenia (2002, the church was consecrated after his death), * St. Hakob (James) Church of the

Vaskenian Theological Academy Vaskenian Theological Academy (also Vazgenian, Vazgenyan, Vazgenian Seminary), is a seminary of the Armenian Apostolic Church on the Sevan peninsula on the shores of Lake Sevan in Armenia. It operates under the direct supervision of the Armenian ...

near

Sevan, Armenia Sevan ( hy, Սեւան) is a town and urban municipal community, as well as one of the most popular resorts in Armenia, located in the Gegharkunik Province on the northwestern shores of Lake Sevan. The town is built at a height of more than abo ...

* Holy Trinity Church of

, Armenia (2005, the church was consecrated after his death). File:Surb Grigor church in Odessa.jpg, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Odessa File:Nor Nork St. Sarkis Church.jpg, St. Sarkis Church of Nork District of

File:Holy Martyrs Church of Kashatagh.jpg, Holy Martyrs Church of Kashatagh File:Vazgenian Theological Seminary.JPG, St. Hakob (James) Church of the

near Sevan See als
video
of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Odessa.

Medals and awards

* St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal * Golden Medal of the Academy of Arts of the USSR (1991)Se
Golden Medal of the Academy of Arts of the USSR
(Russian). * Title of Merited Constructor of Armenia (1966) Baghdasar Arzoumanian also holds numerous medals for his military career during World War II (2nd Order Medal of the Patriotic War, Red Star Medal, Medal of Honour, Medal of Bravery, Medal for Victory against Germany, Medal for Taking Kyoniksberg, Medal of Marshal Baghramian).

Gallery

Image:Architectural-Commission-of-the-Mother-See-(1970-1988).jpg, Architectural Commission of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (1970–1988).
First row from left:

Varazdat Harutyunyan Varazdat Harutyunyan (also Harutiunian, hy, Վարազդատ Հարությունյան; 29 November 1909 – 20 March 2008) was an Armenian academic, architect and writer. Biography Harutyunyan was born in the Ottoman Empire, in the town ...

, K. Altunyan
Second row from left: Baghdasar Arzoumanian, H. Babakhanian,

Grigor Khanjyan Grigor Khanjyan ( hy, Գրիգոր Խանջյան; 29 November 1926 – 19 April 2000) was a Soviet-Armenian artist, painter, and illustrator. He is most notable for his illustrations of historical novels and poems, and murals and tapestries on hi ...

, A. Galikyan, M. Hovhannisyan Image:Veharan-Door.jpg, Entrance door of the Residence of the

(from left: Baghdasar Arzoumanian,

, the benefactor Gegham Tandzikian with his wife and granddaughter) Image:BaghdasarArzoumanianWithVHarutyunyanAndHHKarekinI.jpg, Baghdasar Arzoumanian and

after receiving St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal from

Image:Bagdasar Arzoumanian.jpg, Baghdasar Arzoumanian File:Baghdasar Arzoumanian Memorial.jpg, Memorial on the wall of the building where he lived during 1958-2001 (authored by Getik Baghdasaryan)

Bibliography

* There are 30 bibliographical references in the book of

devoted to Baghdasar Arzoumanian: . * *
Google Translation

Films

* *

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arzoumanian, Baghdasar 1916 births 2001 deaths Architects from Yerevan People from Syunik Province Soviet architects