Saint Astvatsatsin Church of Areni

Saint Astvatsatsin Church of Areni is located in the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia, near the village of Areni, on the left bank of the Arpa River, on the hill adjacent to the village. According to the record of the western entrance of the church, it was built by Syunyats Archbishop Hovhannes Orbelyan in 1321, the architect was Momik. It is a church with harmonious proportions, it has a central dome composition. The altar has a pair of cross-shaped windows of an original design, in the center of the ornament of the western entrance, the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus in her arms is carved on the throne. The emblems of the four evangelists are carved inside the church: an angel, a winged bull, an eagle and a winged lion. The dome of the church was destroyed by the earthquake of 1840. In 1967-1972, the church walls and roof were repaired. In 1998, thanks to the benevolence of Polish Armenian Artashes Tyuzmechyan, the dome of the church was restored to its original appearance. Saint Astvatsatsin Church is distinguished by extremely harmonious proportions.

Photo By: Cosmo Deus