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Improvement Works In Hakobavank

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  • Improvement Works In Hakobavank

    IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN HAKOBAVANK

    http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=914:-improvement-works-in-hakobavank&catid=9:society&Itemid=20
    Tuesday, 29 January 2013 09:59

    On the initiative of the religious organization Fraternity of
    Worshippers of the Armenian Apostolic Church, improvement works were
    conducted last week in the monastery complex Hakobavank (or monastery
    of St. Hakob) located on the right bank of the Khachen River, 1.5
    km from the village Kolatak, Martakert region. In the historical
    literature, this monument of Armenian architecture is also noted
    as Metsaran.

    The environmental NGO Zepyur also joined the works.

    The monastery was once a famous place of pilgrimage, an important
    center of education and creation of manuscripts. The foundation
    period is unknown, but the oldest inscription on the cross-stones
    placed in the wall refers to the year of 853. According to the ancient
    manuscripts, the monastery church was restored in the 12th century.

    The most part of the complex' constructions was built the same
    period. According to the inscription, the residential and farm
    buildings in the eastern part of the monastery are dated to the
    17th -18th centuries. Currently, the complex is on the verge of
    destruction. Fortunately, there are sponsors who pledged to help in
    the restoration of the monastery, and still we should save, at least,
    what is left from the complex. Therefore, on the initiative of the AAC
    Fraternity of Worshippers, improvement works were conducted here. The
    dome of the church was covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from
    further destruction.

    An active part in these works was taken by inhabitant of Prdzhamal
    village Hovik Beglarian, who believes that such works are necessary in
    order to save the churches that were built with the enormous efforts of
    our ancestors. "It is painful for me to see how the shrines, built by
    our ancestors, are destroyed in Artsakh. Construction of new churches
    isn~Rt easy today, but we cannot even save the existing ones.

    It's time to come to our senses and maintain our spiritual values
    ", said H. Beglarian. Note that our interlocutor participates in
    improvement works not only in Hakobavank, but also in the territories
    of other churches, for example, in the villages of Noragyugh,
    Mokhratagh, and others. Remarkably, he is both the initiator and
    executor of the works. He attends with great inspiration the Church
    of Our Lady in his native village. Earlier, it was a rural chapel
    and only in 1800 was rebuilt into a church.

    According to O. Beglarian, the church should become a spiritual center
    for the people to attend it and participate in the sacred ordinances
    of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The main thing is the spiritual
    revival of the church and its congregation. Representative of the
    organization AAA Fraternity of Worshippers Armen Maghakelian also noted
    that these works were not only aimed at the restoration of the church,
    but also at the formation of the people~Rs proper way of thinking. "The
    villagers see us to come from Stepanakert and to organize improvement
    works in their churches. The church was initially built for the local
    people so that they regularly visit it, join God~Rs Word, and remain
    devoted to the true faith. Our goal is to create parishes in Artsakh,
    as it was in the pre-Soviet period", said A.

    Maghakelian.

    Note also that the revival of parish councils was planned on the state
    level. To inform the society, with the assistance of the NKR Prime
    Minister, the villages of Sos and Machkalashen and Stepanakert school
    ¹ 2 were jointly visited by chief department on national minorities
    and religious issues of the NKR government Ashot Sargsian, director of
    the preaching center of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
    Church Karen Apresian, representative of the ministry of education
    and science Janna Ayvazian, and Armen Maghakelian. Issues of religious
    security were also discussed.

    According to chairman of the environmental NGO Zepyur Aram Mayilian,
    their organization could not but respond to this initiative, as their
    aim is to preserve the historical and cultural monuments and spiritual
    values of Artsakh, to improve and clean the adjoining territories,
    as well as to research the area and historical events. In particular,
    the organization Zepyur conducted improvement works in the vicinity
    of Gandzasar Church. These programs aim to involve the younger
    generation in the spiritual values of its native land and to preserve
    the masterpieces created by our ancestors.

    Zarine MAYILIAN

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