PLACES OF WORSHIP
ST. JOHN CHURCH OF AVAN
V-VI centuries, renovated in 1271
State index: 1.2.13
The church is located in Avan district, in
the area adjacent to N. Safaryan Street, on the hillside, on the south from St.
Astvatsatsin Church (also called chapel). No historical information is known
about the construction. The fact that it was founded in the early Middle Ages
is evidenced by the horseshoe-shaped arch of the dome of the tabernacle, the
isosceles crosses encircled on the keystone of the entrance, red-colored
frescoes (“Daniel in the lion’s
den” - V-VI centuries, “Fish” - V-VI centuries), etc.
The
church is a vaulted (demolished) single-nave hall built on a two-level earthen
rampart. The walls are made of red and black tuff, decorated with numerous
crosses. The cruciform figures bordering the altar were carved by a master
named Tseruni, probably in the X-XI centuries. The interior was renovated in
1271 by Avanshah and his son Mevan. It was destroyed in 1679 from the great
earthquake of the Ararat valley.
In
1968 cleaning, strengthening and partial restoration works of the church were
carried out.
The
nearby extensive cemetery (V-XVII centuries) was destroyed
as a result of constructions. Fragments of early medieval quadrangular obelisks, sculptured cross stones and fragments, several
dozen flat, rectangular, pitched and
cradle-shaped tombstones have been preserved. Some of the cross stones and
tombstones are inscribed (the cross stone of Norchik: XV-XVI centuries, the
cross stone of Melikset, XVI century, the cross stone of Marian: 1610, the
tombstone of Grigores: 1282, the tombstone of Mr. Shnahvor: 1301, etc. ). In
this area, you can find the renowned walled cross stone of Avan, crafted by
Grigor Anetsi in 1297. This monument was erected by the Luys and Shakarkhatun
couple, and it is situated near the northeast corner of the church. The latter is one of the best works of monumental
art of medieval Armenia, with delicate and detailed carvings.
Ruins
of buildings, fragments of cross stones, tombstones have been preserved in the
gardens between the churches.
“Scientific Research Center of Historical and Cultural Heritage” SNCO
Yerevan Municipality
