http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2504562-armenia24-z1/
Jul 24, 2015
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2504562-armenia24-z1/
Zvartnots Cathedral (meaning "celestial angels”) is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type Armenian cathedral built by the order of Catholicos Nerses the Builder from 643-652. Now in ruins, it is located at the edge of the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin). Zvartnots was built at a time when much of Armenia was under Byzantine control or influence and during the early invasions of Armenia by the Muslim Arabs. Dedicated to St. Gregory, it was located the place, where a meeting between King Trdat IIIand Gregory the Illuminator was supposed to have taken place
Ervand Kochar (1899-1978) The Eagle of Zvartnots, 1955
Inspired by an interpretation of the Apocalypse that predicted the second coming of Christ when the seven main churches of Christianity came together, Zvartnots was built to be the “seventh seal of the seventh tier of God's presence on earth” (Revelation 11:15-19 of the Holy Bible). One of the tallest churches on earth when it was built, Zvartnots was the most significant architectural development in the Byzantine world.
Its architecture had a direct
impact on the dome of St. Sophia in
Constantinople, which collapsed
as a result of earthquakes in
558 and 989. The master architect
for Zvartnots, T’rdat, is said to
have been commissioned to
restore St. Sophia's dome in 989-992 using the
tubular arch system developed
at Zvartnots
The cathedral is believed to have been built ca. 643-652. The construction was a great achievement; at the time it Zvartnots type was completely unique, a central dome type where the corners and apses became a part of the whole, suggesting a circle. Its massive size and unique construction was an engineering marvel, and a number of legends and reports are connected to the monument.
Zvartnots stood for 320 years before its collapse in the 10th century; by the time the historian Stepanos Taronatsi wrote of the church it was already in ruins, without giving a reason. How it collapsed is still debated, though most argues for one of two theories; earthquake, or as a result of Arab raids.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Zvartnots was still underground. An excavation was initiated by Khachik Vardapet Dadian in 1901-1907. In 1904 the architect Toros Toramanian began directing excavations and in 1905 he displayed the first results
Sayat Nova
Zvartnots oldest layer revealed the Urartian cuneiform stone of Rusa II (0.63 x 2.7 m in size), which noted the construction of gardens, canals, and sacrifices to the gods. Excavations uncovered the church, Catholicos’ palace in the southwest of the complex, adjoining service rooms, a roman-style bath, and different artifacts (ceramicware, vessels, jars, tools, jewelry), graves and a winery.
Interior Reconstruction by Toramanian
Toros Toramanian created an architectural reconstruction of Zvartnots on display at the Museum
The church design is also confirmed by its depiction in a relief panel at Paris’ St. Chapelle (1243-48), which shows a design of the church above Noahs’Ark on Mt. Ararat, believed to be a model of St. Grigor in Ani, a copy of Zvartnots
Next to the Rusa Stone is a reconstruction of the large cathedral sun dial with the inscription “Pray to God as he expects”. Sun dials were a common feature of Armenian churches, and highly accurate. Note the Armenian letters ringing the lower half of the dial; each Armenian letter represents an hour, from one to twelve
The palace complex, almost square in plan, southwest of the church, consists of two wings (east and west), divided by a corridor. This was where the Catholicos of All Armenians Nerses III Ishkhantsi lived and worked, leading the church in its struggles with the Arabs, Byzantines and the last vestiges of Pagan resistance in the country. It was his office, home and for a time the Seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Holy-Trinity-Church-Yerevan
The eagle (and lion) are ancient Armenian symbols dating from the first Armenian kingdoms that existed prior to Christ. These symbols are found on the Armenian Highland from times immemorial. Numerous Armenian dynasties such as Artaxiad, Arsacid, Bagratuni and Rubenid, used these symbols as their royal insignia
Zvartnots QuartetHorovel (Komitas); Havoon-havoon (Narekatsi); Ashkharums akh chim qashi (Sayat-Nova)
Komitas) Narekatsi Sayat-Nova
Sound: Zvartnots Quartet - Horovel (Komitas); Havoon-havoon (Narekatsi); Ashkharums akh chim qashi (Sayat-Nova)
Text: Internet
Pictures: Internet
Sanda Foişoreanu
Copyright: All the images belong to their authors
Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu
www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda