Harichavank

Name: Harichavank
Monument type: Church-Monastic Complex
Region: Shirak Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Harichavank

Other nomination: Harich monastery complex

Monument type: Monastery complex

Region: Shirak

Community: Artik

Residence: Harich village

Location: Southern part of Harich village, promontory formed by two canyons.

Preservation: The structures of the monastery complex are almost completely preserved. Reconstruction works were carried out both in the Middle Ages and later. Historical sources state that Harichavank was destroyed in the XI century during the Seljuk invasions and repaired By Gregory the Preceptor in the XII century. Similar works were also carried out by “Harich” company established in Gyumri in 1850. North of the monument group, on the site of the destroyed wall, there was a study hall, a pantry-kitchen, a bedroom, a dining room and a utility building built in 1850-1881. Later, a 2nd floor was added to the school building as a monastery, and the inherited school- on the economic building. In 1883-1884 the second arched gate of the complex was built with an attached two-story building. It was partially renovated in 1995-1999 with the funds of the Argentinian-Armenian philanthropist Eduardo Seferyan. Repair works were also carried out here on the initiative of Davit Varakyan in 2005-2006. Harichavank is now operational, where repair works were carried out under the patronage of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 2010.

Coordinates: 400 36′ 23. N 43o59’58” E

Elevation: 1990 m

Era and chronology: The monastic complex dates back to the Early and High Middle Ages, VII-XIII centuries. In the XIX century the two-story belfry was built.

Harich Monastery: Transforming from Pagan Heritage to A Symbol of Christianity

Your ears can almost still hear the whispers of the past as you stand upon what was once a pagan site. Constructed as a monastic complex in the Early and High Middle Ages, Harich rightfully earned its title as one of Armenia’s most treasured historical marvels.

As you stand here, you won’t only sense the gentle echoes of the past enchanting your spirit, but you will also feel the radiant light emanating from what was once one of the most notable scriptoriums in the region. It will warm your soul with its knowledge and wisdom, leaving you transformed.

In the serene landscapes of Shirak’s southern region, lies the Harich Monastery Complex, also known as Harichavank. Situated atop a promontory formed by two canyons in the heart of Harich village, this historic gem has withstood the test of time, bearing witness to centuries of cultural evolution and preservation.

At an altitude of 1990 meters, Harichavank is not just a monastery but a sanctuary of spirituality and history. Its roots trace back to the Early and High Middle Ages, dating from the 7th to the 13th centuries. Beyond its spiritual significance, this site has archaeological importance, revealing a connection to Armenia’s pagan past, which laid the foundation for its vibrant Christian culture.

The complex boasts a remarkable architectural ensemble, including two churches, vestibules, tombs, a scriptorium-seminary, and various civil buildings like a refectory, monastery, school, and infirmary. St. Grigor Church, dating back to the 7th century, holds a central place in the complex, while St. Astvatsatsin Church, built in 1201, is a unique masterpiece. Its intricately carved facades and ornate details are a testament to the craftsmanship of the Zakaryan brothers.

Harichavank was not just a place of worship but also a center of learning and creativity. The seminary-scriptorium, though partially preserved, was a hub of manuscript writing and miniature painting. Manuscripts from this site have survived through the ages, including the famous manuscripts of 1209 and 1212, testimony to the profound cultural contributions made here.

The history of Harichavank is steeped in legends and miracles. During the Seljuk invasion in the mid-11th century, stories tell of people disappearing and turning into doves within the church, escaping through secret passages to the valley below. The church itself survived the Seljuks’ attempts to destroy it, defying their efforts to bring it down. Another legend speaks of a maiden who found refuge in a chapel built on a rock, which miraculously split apart, thwarting the Seljuks’ pursuit.

Over the centuries, Harichavank has witnessed both destruction and reconstruction. It was damaged during the Seljuk invasions but was lovingly restored by figures like Gregory the Preceptor and the “Harich” company in the 19th century. Recent restoration efforts, including support from philanthropists and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, have ensured the complex’s ongoing preservation.

FACTS

❈ Harich Monastery Complex, or Harichavank, in Shirak’s southern region, stands atop a promontory in Harich village, with a history dating from the 7th to the 13th centuries.

❈ Beyond its spiritual importance, it holds archaeological significance, reflecting Armenia’s pagan roots and its transition to a vibrant Christian culture.

❈ The complex includes two churches, vestibules, tombs, a scriptorium-seminary, and civil buildings, such as a refectory, monastery, school, and infirmary.

❈ St. Grigor Church, from the 7th century, and St. Astvatsatsin Church, built in 1201, are architectural marvels showcasing the craftsmanship of the
Zakaryan brothers.

❈ Harichavank was a hub of learning and creativity, with its seminary-scriptorium producing famous manuscripts in the 13th century.

❈ Legends and miracles are intertwined with Harichavank’s history, including tales of doves escaping the Seljuk invasion and a maiden finding refuge in a
miraculous chapel.

❈ The complex has experienced destruction and reconstruction over the centuries, with recent restoration efforts ensuring its preservation

Research history

The studies about the monastery mostly refer to the architectural structures (T. Toramanian, H. Khalpakkhchian, A. Jalalyan,). In the 1980s, the main department for the protection and management of monuments conducted reconstruction works in the territory of the monastery. Meanwhile, excavations were carried out in different parts of the area, about 800 square meters, by the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (leader of the expedition: Ph.D. F. Babayan). As a result of the excavations, various structures of residential, economic, and industrial importance were revealed.

Archaeological description

The monastery complex consists of two churches, vestibules, tombs, a scriptorium-seminary, civil buildings (refectory, monastery, school, infirmary, etc.).

Only a small part of the enclosure once surrounding the monument group is now preserved. To the north-east of the monastery is the old cemetery of the village, where there are many old tombstones and the ruins of St. Harutyun (Resurrection) Church.

Architecture
St. Grigor Church is one of the oldest structures of the complex, dating back to the VII century. According to the legend, it belongs to the type of central dome-cruciform churches. The south-eastern depository was attached in the X century, and the south-western repository in the XIII century. The belfry was built in front of the western entrance in the XIX century.

The seminary-scriptorium is located on the south-eastern side of St. Grigor Church. Only the small north-western part of the seminary four-column vestibule-type structure has been preserved. It was a center of writing and miniature painting. A number of manuscripts were written and flourished here, the most famous ones are the two manuscripts of 1209 and 1212. The first one was compiled and flourished by Prophet of Pen.

St. Astvatsatsin Church is the unique monument of the monastic complex. It was built by the brothers Zakare and Ivane Zakaryans in 1201: they bought Harich from the Pahlavunis and turned it into a monastery-fortress. It belongs to the domed hall type of churches with some special features. There are repositories at the four corners, among them the western ones are double-storied. The external architecture of the church has a highlighted decorativeness. Particularly the eastern facade is noteworthy with its above sculpture of the Zakaryan brothers holding a model of the church in the central window, which is now missing. The sundial on the southern wall, ornate rosettes, sculpted cornices, and an accurate model of the church crowning the top of the western chancel are part of the decoration. In the first quarter of the XIII century, a forty-column vestibule was attached to the church from the western side with the efforts of prince Vahram Hechup, monastery leaders Ter Hovhannes and Hamazasp. In the monument typical of this period, the ceiling designs and the porch with its star-shaped, rhombus and pentagonal carved stone mosaic lintel are exceptional.

The “hermit’s chapel” is located in the south-western part of the complex, on the edge of the ravine. It was separated from the area with the rock mass and turned towards the valley. It has a rectangular plan, a vaulted two-slope terrace with the only entrance from the north. The date of construction is unknown.

🔨 Findings

During the excavations kilns for pottery vessels were found dug into the rock, and the two structures for getting construction mortar were lined with river stones. On the western side of the monastery, rock-hewn buildings built for hermits were opened. Many pottery and metal findings were discovered.

Significance

It is one of the famous Armenian monastic complexes; the archaeological excavations proved this area to be significant in the pagan period as well, on the basis of which the new Christian culture was created.

📜 Traditional legends

During the Seljuk invasion (mid-XI century), many people entered the church and disappeared. The Seljuks defined the miracle that people turned into doves in the church with the power of the soul and flew away. However, there was a secret passage in the church through which the Armenian refugees were able to descend to the valley. Entering the church, the Seljuks found no one there, they became furious and decided to raze the church to the ground. With the help of horses, they pulled and tore off the 4 pillars holding the belfry, but the church did not collapse. Fearing such a miracle, the Seljuks stopped trying to destroy the structure.

According to another legend, one of the royal maidens escaped from the Seljuks and took shelter in the chapel built on the rock, and when the Seljuks tried to take over the girl, the rock split into two parts, and the Seljuks fled being afraid of such a miracle, and the maiden was saved.

Sources

Literature

F. Babayan 2003, Harich monastery complex as a historical-archaeological monument, “Ancient culture of Armenia”, N3, Proceedings of the conference dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Telemak Khachatryan, “Mughni”, Yerevan, pp. 135-144.
F. Babayan 1984, Newly discovered medieval materials from Harich excavations, Journal of Social Sciences, N11, pp. 90-98.
Diva of Armenian lithography 2017, Shirak region, study X, compiled by S. Barkhudaryan, Yerevan, “Science”, 212 pages.
A. Jalalyan 1986, The Harich monument group (architectural revisions), Journal of Social Sciences, N2, pp. 81-93.
O. Khalpakhchyan 1973, X-XIII century Architectural ensemble of Armenia, Moscow, ‹‹Art››, 89 p.

List of monuments

Shirak 7.63.18.3