Armenia14 Haghartsin Monastery

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Haghartsin is a 13th-century monastery located near the town of Dilijan. Traditionally, an eagle was soaring over the dome of the main building at its dedication and thus it became commonly known as the monastery of the playing (or soaring) eagle ("Hagh" means a game while "Artsin" a form of "Artsiv" means eagle in Armenian).Founded in the 10-13th century, the Monastery may be described as a school of architecture. It took about 300 years to build with every generation of architects adding on new structures, outer and inner dressing of artistic expressive means

Perched spectacularly amid thickly forested mountains about 100 kilometers north-east of Yerevan, Haghartsin Monastery is a masterpiece of medieval Armenian ecclesiastical architecture. The combination of natural and architectural beauty is very impressive

The monastery of Haghartsin includes three churches. They are Saint Atsvatsatsin (Holy Mother) Church, which is the monastery’s main church, Saint Grigor church and Saint Stepanos Church. St. Astvatsatsin Church in Haghardzin (1281) is the largest building and the dominant artistic feature.

Armenia is considered the oldest Christian country in the world and its

Apostolic Church belongs to the ancient

Oriental Orthodox branch

The gavit of Surp Grigor, Haghartsin Monastery

Inside the gavit of Surp Grigor, Haghartsin Monastery

Inside the gavit of Surp Grigor, Haghartsin Monastery

Inside the gavit of Surp Grigor, Haghartsin Monastery

The gavit of Surp Grigor, Haghartsin Monastery

Inside the gavit of Surp Grigor, Haghartsin Monastery

The gavit of Surp Grigor,

Haghartsin Monastery

The gavit of Surp Grigor,

Haghartsin Monastery

A gavit is often contiguous to the west of a church

in a Medieval Armenian

monastery. It served as narthex (entrance to the

church), mausoleum and assembly room

The gavit, the distinctive Armenian style of narthex, appeared in the tenth and eleventh centuries.

Inside Surp Astvatsatsin, (meaning "Holy Mother of God") Haghartsin Monastery

Khachkar of the 13th century next to the southern door of the church. Since 2010, khachkars, their symbolism and craftsmanship are inscribed in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The refectory of Haghardzin, built by the architect

Minas in 1248, is a structure of a

rare composition. Just as Haghpat's

refectory, the structure is

divided by pillars into two square-plan parts roofed with a system of

intersecting arches.

The Refectory

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians

The gavit of St. Astvatsatsin Church is severely damaged. The ruins show clearly where it stood; however, the walls are almost completely destroyed.

During the final works workers suddenly found a 5 meter pit in the main church

Low-relief depiction of the Zakaryan brothers, patrons of Monastery (1281) on the upper east exterior wall of S. Astvatatsin Church.

An image of the Virgin and Child by the door has distinct Mongolian features – added to convince the next wave of Mongol invaders not to destroy the church

Part of a khachkar, also known as an Armenian cross-stone

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi made a fortuitous in 2005 visited Armenia and generously offered to renovate the complex

Founded in the 10th century, the monastery, which includes three churches and once housed about 250 monks, survived attacks from Arab and Ottoman invaders and anti-religious campaigns under Soviet rule during its turbulent history. But after weathering those storms, decades of neglect meant the complex looked headed for collapse as plants twisted through walls and cracks threatened to send buildings tumbling. The significant donation by the Ruler of Sharjah has enabled a medieval monastery in Armenia to reopen

“I cannot recall anything similar to this happening in our history that an Arab Sheikh, a Muslim, helped to restore and rescue an Armenian Christian church,” a priest said. “Without doubt it was God who brought the Sheikh to Haghartsin.”

Sound: Amen Hayr Surp- Isabel Bayrakdarian

Text: Internet

Pictures: Internet

Sanda Foişoreanu

Sanda Negruţiu Elena CiceuCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda