St. Astvatsatsin Church (Darkand) Explained

St. Astvatsatsin Church
Native Name:Սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի
Native Name Lang:Armenian
Country:Azerbaijan
Location:Darkənd
Denomination:Armenian Apostolic Church
Founded Date:17th century
Status:Destroyed
Style:Basilica
Demolished Date:2004–2010

St. Astvatsatsin Church was an Armenian church located in Darkənd village (Ordubad district) of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.[1] The church was located in the center of the village.[1]

History

The church was built in the 17th century and was renovated in 1895.[2]

Architecture

The church was a three-naved basilica with a semicircular apse with vestries on either side. The entrance to the church was on the west, and there were inscriptions on the eastern facade. The building of the church had been turned into a village shop during the Soviet times.[3]

Destruction

The building of the church was still intact in 2004. However, by 2010, the church had been torn down and a new structure, with smaller dimensions, built in its place, according to investigation of the Caucasus Heritage Watch.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Khatchadourian, Lori . Silent Erasure: A Satellite Investigation of the Destruction of Armenian Heritage in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan . Smith . Adam T. . Ghulyan . Husik . Lindsay . Ian . Ithaca, NY . 2022 . Cornell Institute of Archaeology and Material Studies . 196–199 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20220924101952/https://indd.adobe.com/view/publication/2a6c8a55-75b0-4c78-8932-dc798a9012fb/58x9/publication-web-resources/pdf/CHWNakhichevanReportFull.pdf . 24 September 2022 . live.
  2. Ayvazyan Argam. Nakhijevani ISSH haykakan hushardzannery. Hamahavak tsutsak. Yerevan: Hayastan, 1986, p. 67.
  3. Ayvazyan, Argam. Nakhijevan: Patkerazard bnashkharhik hanragitak․ Yerevan: Hushardzan, Gitutyun, 1995, p. 74.