Surb Astvatsatsin Church, Armenian Apostolic church in Gavar, Armenia.
Surb Astvatsatsin Church is a stone structure in Gavar featuring traditional Armenian architectural elements including a central dome, cruciform layout, and finely carved decorative details across its exterior walls. The building displays characteristic Armenian stone craftsmanship throughout its construction and ornamental features.
Construction began in 1902 on the initiative of the priest Khoren Muradbekyan, to a design by the architect Vasili Mirzoyan, funded largely by the wealthy merchant Hayrapet Agha. The church was consecrated in 1905, and the first liturgy was celebrated by Khrimyan Hayrik. It serves as the mother church and seat of the diocese of Gegharkunik Province.
Surb Astvatsatsin is the mother church and seat of the diocese of Gegharkunik Province. It was consecrated in 1905, and the first liturgy there was celebrated by Khrimian Hayrik (Mkrtich Khrimian), the former Catholicos of All Armenians. The building was financed largely by the wealthy merchant Hayrapet Agha.
The church stands in central Gavar, in the Gegharkunik Province; the town lies east of Lake Sevan, so the site is reached by road from Yerevan via the Sevan highway. It serves as the mother church and seat of the diocese of Gegharkunik, so services follow the Armenian Apostolic rite. Visitors should dress modestly and keep quiet during prayers.
The church was consecrated in 1905, and the first liturgy there was celebrated by Khrimyan Hayrik (Mkrtich Khrimian), then Catholicos of All Armenians. Construction had begun in 1902 on the initiative of the clergyman Khoren Muradbekyan, to a design by the architect Vasili Mirzoyan, paid for largely by the wealthy merchant Hayrapet Agha.
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