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ANCIENT CHURCH IN ARMENIA'S NORTH-EAST ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE (VIDEO)
Tert.am
16.11.11
An Armenian charity foundation has voiced alarm over the desolate
situation of the St Mary church of Odzun (Lori region).
In a statement issued in that connection, the press service of
the foundation called Hovhannes Imastaser Katoghikos Odznetci said
the church in Armenia's north-eastern region is under the threat
of collapse.
"Although the St Mary Church of Odzun regularly serves holy masses and
hosts weddings and funerals, it is facing the threat of collapse, after
standing strong for a millennium and a half," reads the statement.
On October 18, the foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with
the Ministry of Culture for restoring the ancient place of worship. It
is now waiting for the selection of a construction company to start
the renovation.
The foundation has agreed to cover the repairs which are expected to
last around three years.
"The Odzun church turned into a grain warehouse in the Soviet years,"
the authors of the statements say.
The history of the church dates from the 6th century. In the 8th
century it was reconstructed by Hovhannes III Odznetsi. At the northern
(not preserved anymore) and southern side there are unusual arcaded
cloisters and the west cloister has a blind wall with an arched
entrance in the middle. The roof is barrel vaulted. Four columns
support the rib vaulted tambour and there are two more columns at the
western part of the church. At the eastern facade above the central
window one can observe a carving of Christ with the gospel of St. John
and two angels below. At the southern facade, at each side of the
central window there are two angels and traces of another figure,
probably Christ. Much later, in the 19th century two small belltowers
were added.
Tert.am
16.11.11
An Armenian charity foundation has voiced alarm over the desolate
situation of the St Mary church of Odzun (Lori region).
In a statement issued in that connection, the press service of
the foundation called Hovhannes Imastaser Katoghikos Odznetci said
the church in Armenia's north-eastern region is under the threat
of collapse.
"Although the St Mary Church of Odzun regularly serves holy masses and
hosts weddings and funerals, it is facing the threat of collapse, after
standing strong for a millennium and a half," reads the statement.
On October 18, the foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with
the Ministry of Culture for restoring the ancient place of worship. It
is now waiting for the selection of a construction company to start
the renovation.
The foundation has agreed to cover the repairs which are expected to
last around three years.
"The Odzun church turned into a grain warehouse in the Soviet years,"
the authors of the statements say.
The history of the church dates from the 6th century. In the 8th
century it was reconstructed by Hovhannes III Odznetsi. At the northern
(not preserved anymore) and southern side there are unusual arcaded
cloisters and the west cloister has a blind wall with an arched
entrance in the middle. The roof is barrel vaulted. Four columns
support the rib vaulted tambour and there are two more columns at the
western part of the church. At the eastern facade above the central
window one can observe a carving of Christ with the gospel of St. John
and two angels below. At the southern facade, at each side of the
central window there are two angels and traces of another figure,
probably Christ. Much later, in the 19th century two small belltowers
were added.