St. Gregory the Illuminator Church

Haykadzor St. Gregory the Illuminator Church 1890 © ️ Author: Dmitry Yermakov ™️ t.me/ancientarmPhotos

The church of St. Gregory the Illuminator (“Karmirvank” church) is located on the western edge of the village of Haykadzor, on the left bank of the Akhuryan River. According to the construction protocol of the southern facade, the initiator of the construction of the church was Bishop Sargis, the leader of the Horomos monastery. Built by Samehan architect in 980-985. It is a domed hall type building. On the eastern, northern and southern fronts there are binary triangular niches (“Armenian niches”). It is built with reddish tuff sacred stones and ashlar. The decoration is discreet, which emphasizes the grandeur of the monument. Noteworthy are the striking ornaments of the arched entrance bar. Murals have been preserved on the dome. It was rebuilt at the beginning of the 13th century; the dome, the facade cladding, the roof slabs were restored. It is impossible to visit the church freely because it is located on the other side of the Armenia-Turkey border fence, in the neutral zone. But border guards are going ahead, and regularly organize an open day, allowing residents to go to church. To the east of the church extends the old cemetery, where sculpted crucifixes from the 13th century have been preserved.