Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan is in Gegharunik province of Armenia. It is the second largest freshwater high-altitude lake in the world after Lake Titicaca. Sevan had different names during the course of the history: Gegharquni, Laknitis etc.
The length is 70 km. It is the largest lake in the Southern Caucasus. According to the genealogical facts of the lake, it was originated in the fourth era.

For a long time, the linguists explained the name of the lake dividing its name into “sev” (black) and “vank” (monastery) relating it to the Sevanavank monastery. Princess of Syunik Mariam Bagratuni built the monastery from black tufa (a type of stone).

There are two traditions about the origin of Sevan.

Tradition 1

According to the first tradition, there was a land in the place of the lake with forested hills, fields full of flowers and mellow tillages. Near to the village, there was a source. When the villagers wanted to take water from it, they opened the big plug of its outfall. After taking the water they closed it very carefully.

One evening one of the women of the village goes to the source for bringing water, takes out the plug, pours the water and goes back home, without closing it. So, water overflows. The flood reaches to the houses. While the people were running away leaving their houses behind, they are shouting “Whoever left the outfall open may become a stone”. So, the uncareful women become a stone. The water gathers and gather. So Lake Sevan originated.

Tradition 2

People from Van migrate to the shores of Sevan thinking that it is also a “Van”. But later, they don’t like the cold and cruel climate. They remember the mild weather of their country, so they start shouting ” Սև Վան եկավ մեր գլխին, սև Վան (sev Van)”. So the lake got “Sevan” name.

Sevanavank monastery

Sevanavank

Sevan Lake has a rich history, as well as “rich view” for those who visit there. Not only the lake but also its peninsula has great historical heritage.

Sevanavank was established in the peninsula of Sevan lake, from Sevan town to the east. During the excavations, archaeologists found out that there were residents there in new stone and bronze ages.

When, in 301, Armenian king Tirridates III got repentance from St Grigor I Illuminator and accepted the Christianity, in Armenia Christianity became a national religion. Everywhere people established monasteries and churches. Grigor Illuminator established first two churches of Sevanavank: St Harutyun and St Karapet (after St Hovhannes Mkrtich).

The Dream

According to the inscription on the southern wall of St Araqelots church, in the 9th-century princess Mariam – the daughter of Ashot I Bagratuni – enlarged and constructed the monastery. Metropolitan bishop of Syunik S. Orbelyan who was 13th century-bibliographer, describes like this:

“In this time blessed Mashtots was popular with his grace in Sevana peninsula… After many endeavours, in her dream, she gets an order to build a church after the names of 12 disciples and establish a unity. And for that, in her dream, walking on the lake, 12 disciples come to her and show the place of the church.

After this dream and motivated by divine influence Mariam – wife of Vasak Syuni – comes to St Mashtots, convinces him and they establish the beautiful churches. One of them got the name of St Astvatsatsin, the other one got the names of 12 disciples”.

During the invasion of Mongols and Timurid, the monastery was plundered and destroyed. But, fortunately, in 1451 the Catechism of the monastery was established.

During the Soviet period, the monastery stopped its function (the building of St Astvatsatsin was destroyed in 1931 and they took the stones for building a resort House). The ruinous earthquake damaged the monastery in 1936. Since the 1990s, the monastery has its religious renascence, its theological Academy started working again. Sevanavank is one of the most popular historical cultural places of Armenia.

Sevanavank monastery

The Monastic Complex

The monastery consists of Sb Araqelots and Sb Karapet churches, the wrecks of the yard, partly rebuilt monastic cabins, the ground of St Harutyun church. St Astvatsatsin church and the yard next to it doesn’t exist. There is also the basis of inner and outer walls, some residential and economic buildings.

Princess Mariam and Sevanavank

Till the 9th century, the monastery consisted of 2 churches. One of them, St Harutyun church, was established in 305. During the reign of Ashot, I Bagratuni and the 200 years period of Bagratunyats kingdom was advantageous for the economic and cultural rise of Armenia. Many monasteries and churches were built, including in Sevanavank.

According to the Armenian narrators, princess Mariam had decided to build 30 churches on the memory of her husband who died when he was young. Meeting the abbot of Sevanavank, future catholicos Mashtots Eghivardetsi, he took the responsibility to sponsor the reconstruction of the monastery and enlargement and establish St Araelots and St Astvatsatsin churches.

Monastic Houses, economic institutions and a yard with four pillars attached to St Astvatsatsin church were built.

Sevanavank monastery

St Karapet Church

The date of the full renovation of this church is the end of the 9th century. The central part of the church has a “leaf” shape.

St Araqelots Yard

The wrecks of the yard are in the western part of the church. The establishment date of the yard is the 9th or 10th century. On the floor, there are the grounds of six pillars. The central part had a special way of construction, people called it “yerdik”.

St Araqelots

St Araqelots and St Astvatsatsin churches’ establishment date was the same. The western part which is long has a rectangular hall.
The open space of the western side is remarkable. Its vault is wider and keeps the whole weight of the cupola on it. After the successful construction of this type of church, in all western Armenia people started building churches in this type, only bigger than this one.
According to the inscription of the southern part, the establishment date is 874, by princess Mariam who was the daughter of Ashot Bagratuni.

Khachkars, Sevanavank monastery

Khachkars

There are many khachkars and their pieces in Sevanavank. From every period of the history of the monastery came magnificent examples. One of the most magnificent examples are the sculptures. In the base of these sculptures is a green fragile stone. The complication of the khachkars proves the luxury of the sculptures and monuments. One can suppose how the monks took care of the artworks, considering their ecclesiastical worth.

St Harutyun

This is the oldest church of Sevanavank. Grigor I the Illuminator built this church, in 305.
The church doesn’t exist now. from the grounds of it, one can conclude that it had great size. In Armenia this type of church was rare.

So, if you want to be one of the luckiest tourists who visited this must-see monastery, than plan your way to Lake Sevan.

Article Sevanavank is the first on iArmenia: Armenian History, Holidays, Sights, Events.

Noratus Village

Noratus (Noraduz) is an old residence, with monuments from Bronze and Iron age. The date of the establishment of the village is 1829, it’s 1934m above from sea level. In middle ages, the Noratus was a burgh. There is a traditional belief that this is a fortress-township of Gegharqunik, that establish Gegham Patriarch, which he called “Noratuns”- new houses.
Until the 19th century, Noratus was the administrative centre of Tsmak province. In 13-14th Noratus was Zaqaryans’ property and the residence of their governor: in inscriptions, the governor has names of demetar or meporel, which means leader. Melik Barik from Azaryans-one of the four ruling houses of Gegharqunik- moves his residence from Gandzak to Noratus in the 16th century.
There are other monuments in the village and surrounding areas.

St Astvatsatsin delipidated Church

Noratus

So, in the center of the village, there is Astvatsatsin church. Sahak Prince of Gegharunik established the church in the 9th century. There are many khachkars and tombstones in the yard. The oldest inscriptions from 996 A.D is now in the Armenian History Museum.

St Grigor or Dopunts Monastery

Noratus

This church is on the southern edge of the village. Though people say it is from the 13th century, the inscriptions and architecture prove that it is from the 10th century. On the western wall of the monastery, there is the inscription of Herakl Havnuni prince. According to Catholikos Simeon Yerevantsi, the monastery was a nunnery having a name of Dopunts.
The oldest khachkar in the village was for the establishment of the bridge (1211).

The Chapel

Noratus

The chapel is about 2km far from the village, on the northwestern hill. Only the lower walls survived till now. The oldest inscription is from the 1560 year.
Noratus Cemetry
Noratus village is popular with its cemetery. Its old part included about 800 khachkars established in 9-17th centuries.
Noratus cemetery is the 2nd after historical cemetery of Jugha (Nakhijevan). Azeris were destroying about 2500 khachkars there in 1998-2005. After the destruction of Jugha Cemetry Noratus is the biggest khachkar complex in the world.

The History of the Development of Khachkars Art

Noratus

Khachkar ( khach= cross, kar=stone) is the unique disclosure that Armenian created in worldwide heritage. Based on the traditions of memorial art, khachkars art developed in the early Christian period. There are wonderful examples of different periods in Horatus.

The sources start from the pre-Christian periods when people were making monuments with names of “dragons” to worship the water. People found them in Geghama mountains, on the slopes of Aragats, in Vayots Dzor and other places. Some of the most famous monuments are in Zvartnots, Garni and Van ( now in Turkey). Monuments from the Hellenistic period are mainly in pagan places of worship and on the roads of the villages.
When Christians were turning Pagan Temples into Churches, they were raising crosses as symbols of their new religion.

According to the facts Grigor the Illuminator raised wooden crosses on the place where Hripsime and Gayane were martyred. According to the tradition, there are wooden crosses in Sevan island, Sanahin, and other places till Georgia.
In- 5-7th centuries stone were used instead of wood. That time those creations had a name of “winged crosses”. The further development of “winged crosses” and quadrilateral monuments created a new type of monuments-khachkars.
In 9-10th centuries developed the art of Khachkars.

Cradle Stones

Noratus

In Armenia, the tradition of putting tombstones appeared in 1-2th centuries. At first, they were smooth rectangular slabs.

In Noratus cemetery appeared cradle stones. The upper part of them was edgy or round. On the smooth tombstones, there were people images. Cradle stones are richer. Specialists made the stones according to the hobbies and the way of living of the dead person. In them it is easier to guess what position the person had in the life: the peasant is with his plough, a musician with his/ her musical instrument, the nobleman during hunting. The tombstones that were smaller in size were mainly for children.

Tombstones and Their History

Noratus

Geghama Tombstone

This is a cradle stone with exquisite sculptures. This tombstone is dedicated to Khachatur, who brought water to the village in the 17th century. On the tombstone, there are lines of water, under which there four sculptures. Each of these sculptures has a little cross in the central part- they represent the Tree of life.

On the northern surface of the tombstone, there is a dramatic sculpture: a cavalier, whose horse’s rein holds his servant. Above the servant’s head appears an angel looking to the cavalier. On the left part is the most interesting sculpture: eternity sign or wine cup and tandoor with barbeque skewer. There is one of the oldest and holy symbols of Armenia, the symbol of Sun. To the left, an image of a musician is appearing, who plays Baglama. The variation of the scenes and the exuberance of the sculptures proves the gratitude of the villagers that showed towards the man who took water to them.

Tombstone in the memory of the Villager

Like other tombstones, there are wonderful sculptures on this tombstone too. On the southern surface of the stone, there is a villager whose name is unknown. He is with a plough. If one looks carefully at the stone, he/ she will notice two oxen pulling the plough and the villager.

Noratus Cemetry West End

This part of the cemetery is special because the burials were done according to the lineages. There are other monuments that are important to mark a work of craftsman or a development of a historical period.

Patrimonial Graveyard

This four adjacent khachkars on two pedestals are remarkable with sculptures and images. It is especially notable, that on a khachkar here are symbols of Sun and Moon.

Ghazar graveyard

Six khachkars in a row, resting upon a single pedestal built from three large blocks of stone. All six are works of a famous master Kiram. Local lore has it the top of stones C, D and E represent Lake Sevan and the two peaks of Mt. Ararat.

Harutents patrimonial graveyard

This row of 24 khachkars was erected for the Harutents family (dynasty) in the 14th century and includes a number of finely carved stones and imagery. Note the stone with white facing (a natural phenomenon from the elements) and the different ways the artists carved the Tree of Life below the central crosses. There is also variety in the top sides of the cross, which varies from plain surfaces to crosses, fennel seeds (a traditional motif) and other imagery.

A Legend about Noratus Khachkars

Noratus

In Armenia, one can see khachkars not only under the walls of the cathedrals but also on the roads and on the bases of the mountains.
Before, very often Armenians were putting them in the memory of Armenian heroes. In Noratus cemetery there hundreds of such khachkars. They say, that before those khachkars helped to win in wars and fights against the enemies.

This happened when Seljuk Turks invaded Armenia. They always assailed suddenly. For instance, if they were going to raid to a village, they were choosing burial or wedding days, though, in all world, the fights stopped at that time.
Once, Turk potentate Melik Shah knows that in Noraduz village king Geghham would deplore his friend’s death. His armed protectors are less in number. Other are villagers that have no weapon, women and children. In the evening he learnt that the huge army of Melik Shah was coming against him.

How did King Gegham Defeat Them?

But Gegham found a way to avoid defeat. He decided to use the military rig. All the soldiers, obeying his command, dressed the khachkars in their clothes. Then he stood in front of the khachkars with his army. And, at night, when Turk soldiers appeared behind the cliffs they saw a scary scene. On the hill were standing the powerful equestrians with the guidance of king Gegham. So, thinking the stones as soldiers, Turks escaped. But king Gegham reached to them with his army and massacred.
Except for the graveyard there other monuments in the village.

Article Noratus Cemetry is the first on iArmenia: Armenian History, Holidays, Sights, Events.