Surp Hovhannes Church ( hy, Սուրբ Հովհաննես եկեղեցի; translates to the "Church of
Saint John") is an important 10th century
basilica
In Ancient Roman architecture, a basilica is a large public building with multiple functions, typically built alongside the town's Forum (Roman), forum. The basilica was in the Latin West equivalent to a stoa in the Greek East. The building ...
located in the village of
Byurakan
Byurakan ( hy, Բյուրական), is a major village in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, located on the slope of Mount Aragats. The village is home to several historical sites including the 7th-century Artavazik Church, the 10th-century bas ...
in the
Aragatsotn Province
Aragatsotn ( hy, Արագածոտն, ) is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. It is located in the western part of the country. The capital and largest city of the province is the town of Ashtarak. The Statistical Committee of Armenia reported i ...
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 ' ...
. Not very far away from S. Hovhannes in the same village, are the ruins of the
Artavazik Church
Artavazik Church ( hy, Արտավազիկ եկեղեցի) of the 7th century is located in a stone field one kilometer northeast just a little outside the village of Byurakan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. The name of the church goes back ...
of the 7th century with a huge 13th-century khachkar monument directly across the ravine from the structure.
Architecture
Surp Hovhannes has two portals that lead into the building. The main entrance is from the side of the church, and has an inscription upon the lintel above the portal. Indications of the structure's age can be seen in the temple style steps leading up to S. Hovhannes and the
Maltese Crosses carved into the façade.
Khachkars and other decorative stones may be found around the premises.
Gallery
Image:Map of Amberd.gif, Road map of Byurakan and surrounding region.
Image:Byurakan S. Hovannes1.JPG, Front view
Image:Byurakan S. Hovannes3.JPG,
Image:Byurakan S. Hovannes4.JPG, View of the church bells and upper story windows
Image:Byurakan S. Hovhannes Rear2.JPG, Rear of the basilica with portal.
Image:Byurakan S. Hovhannes Interior.JPG, Interior of the basilica.
Image:Բյուրականի Ս. Հովհաննես եկեղեցի 21.JPG, Khachkar with twelve arms (below cross) representing the Twelve Apostles
In Christian theology and ecclesiology, the apostles, particularly the Twelve Apostles (also known as the Twelve Disciples or simply the Twelve), were the primary disciples of Jesus according to the New Testament. During the life and minist ...
at the Last Supper
Image:The Last Supper - Leonardo Da Vinci - High Resolution 32x16.jpg, 400px, alt=''The Last Supper'' by Leonardo da Vinci - Clickable Image, Depictions of the Last Supper in Christian art have been undertaken by artistic masters for centuries, ...
Image:Byurakan Khachkar.JPG, Unusual pillar style khachkar with a Maltese Cross located down the road from the church.
References
Bibliography
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External links
Armeniapedia.org: Byurakan Church
Christian monasteries in Armenia
Armenian Apostolic churches in Armenia
Tourist attractions in Aragatsotn Province
Buildings and structures in Aragatsotn Province
10th-century churches in Armenia
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