Hovhannavank

Name: Hovhannavank
Monument type: Church-Monastic Complex
Region: Aragatsotn Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Hovhannavank

Other nominations: Ohanavanq, St. Hovhannou Garabed, Syughi Monastery, Sovi Monastery (hunger)

Monument type: Monastery complex

Region: Aragatsotn

Community: Ashtarak

Residence: Ohanavan village

Location: Southeastern part of Ohanavan, right side of the Kasagh valley.

Preservation: It is a standing, functioning church.

Coordinates: 40°20´22˝N 44°23´19˝E

Altitude: 1332 m

Era and chronology: IV-XVIII centuries, from the Early to the Late Middle Ages.

Hovhannavank: Weathering the Centuries With Unwavering Grace

As you find yourself amidst the tranquil beauty of the Kasagh Valley in Armenia’s Aragatsotn region, there’s an unmistakable allure drawing you toward Hovhannavank. Its rich and ancient history, coupled with its unparalleled beauty, seems to beckon you closer.
This monastic complex, once a revered spiritual center of medieval Armenia, still reverberates with the sacred whispers of the past and the mystical essence of those who sought solace within its walls throughout the ages. It’s impossible not to undergo a profound transformation as you delve into the spiritual voyage of uncovering this historical marvel.

Hovhannavank, also known as Sovi Monastery or the Monastery of Hunger, is nestled in the southeastern part of Ohanavan, on the right side of the picturesque Kasagh valley. This monastery complex stands proudly at an elevation of 1332 meters. Its history spans from the early 4th century to the late 18th century, encapsulating the evolution of Armenian Christianity throughout the Middle Ages.

The roots of Hovhannavank trace back to its founding by none other than Gregory the Illuminator himself in the 4th century. This early Christian basilica church, originally constructed with wood, has undergone numerous renovations over the centuries. Remarkably, the structure’s core, dating back to the 5th or 6th century, has endured the test of time. Restorations in 1652 and 1734 left the original entrance on the southern double wall intact while introducing a new southwestern entrance from the vestibule.

St. Garabed Kathoghike Church, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture, was added to the complex in 1216-1221 by Vache Vachutyan. This exquisite church, adjacent to the basilica, features a rectangular exterior and a cruciform interior with two-story vaults. Its dome was unfortunately destroyed in 1918, but the eastern and southern walls are adorned with intricate sculptures and medallions, creating a visual feast for visitors. Notably, the entrance to Kathoghike Church is lavishly decorated, showcasing a unique iconography depicting the evangelical parable of the “Wise and Foolish Virgins.”

The centerpiece of the Hovhannavank complex is the grand vestibule, constructed in 1250 by Kurd Vachutian. This spacious four-columned central hall features a pillared rotunda at its center and boasts rich interior decoration. The ceiling even bears the likeness of Christ himself, while sculptures and ornamental stones adorn the entrance frame and mullioned window above it. The architecture of the vestibule, with its ornate detailing, is a testament to the artistic prowess of the period.

Throughout its history, Hovhannavank served as a center of religious and educational activity. The Vachutian princely house contributed significantly to its prosperity, resulting in the expansion of the monastery’s congregation, the establishment of a school and library, and the construction of various buildings within the complex.

In the 17th century, the monastery experienced another flourishing period under the leadership of Zakaria Vagharshapatsi. His efforts led to the repair of churches, the expansion of the school (the highest in the Ararat province), and the improvement of various economic structures. Unfortunately, the devastating earthquake of 1679 marked a turning point for the monastery, causing a gradual decline that ultimately led to its desolation in the early 19th century.

Efforts to preserve Hovhannavank’s cultural and historical significance have been ongoing. The vestibule was renovated in 1938, and St. Garabed Kathoghike Church was restored in the 1990s, thanks to the work of architect H. Gasparyan.

FACTS:

❈ Hovhannavank, also known as Sovi Monastery or the Monastery of Hunger, is located in the picturesque Kasagh valley in the southeastern part of Ohanavan, Armenia, at an elevation of 1332 meters.

❈ The monastery’s history spans from the 4th century to the late 18th century, founded by Gregory the Illuminator himself. The original early Christian basilica church constructed with wood has a core dating back to the 5th or 6th century.

❈ St. Garabed Kathoghike Church, an architectural masterpiece, was added to the complex in 1216-1221 by Vache Vachutyan. Despite the loss of its dome in 1918, it features intricate sculptures and a lavishly decorated entrance depicting the parable of the “Wise and Foolish Virgins.”

❈ The grand vestibule, constructed in 1250 by Kurd Vachutian, serves as the complex’s centerpiece with rich interior decoration, a ceiling bearing Christ’s likeness, and ornate detailing, showcasing the artistic prowess of the period.

❈ Hovhannavank was a hub of religious and educational activity, with contributions from the Vachutian princely house. It experienced periods of flourishing and decline, with renovation efforts in the 20th and 21st centuries to preserve its cultural and historical significance.

🔍 Research history

Zakaria Kanakertsi (historian of the 17th century), H. Shahkhatuniants (topographer, mid-XIX century), K.G. Ghafadaryan (archaeologist-historian, first half of the XX century), H. Khalpakkhyan (architect, last quarter of the XX century), A. Zhamkochian, N. Hakobyan (archaeologists, 2015).

🧱 Archaeological description

Stratigraphy
The monastery is one of the famous spiritual centers of medieval Armenia, which was the center of the diocese of Aragatsotn province. The main buildings of the monastery were built on the site of the monastery founded here by Gregory the Illuminator in the 13th century; only the early medieval basilica church and the monument dated back to 7th century remained half-ruined. According to the legend, the relics of Hovhannes the Baptist are gathered here.

The prospering period of Hovhannavank is connected with the Vachutian princely house; during their reign St. Garabed Kathoghike Church, the courtyard, the other buildings of the monastery were built, it was enclosed, the congregation was expanded, a school and a library were established.

The monastery’s next prospering phase is the 17th century associated with Zakaria Vagharshapatsi’s name who was appointed an abbot in 1637. Due to his efforts the churches are repaired, the cloisters attached to the enclosure, and other economic structures are built. He regulates the library of the monastery, expands the school inherited by Etchmiadzin – the highest in the Ararat province.

As a result of the 1679 earthquake, the structures of the monastery collapsed which caused the monastery to gradually decline and eventually get desolated at the beginning of the 19th century.

The vestibule was renovated by the monument protection committee in 1938, and St. Garabed Kathoghike – in the 1990s (architector H. Gasparyan).

Architecture
The complex consists of an early medieval single-nave basilica, St. Garabed main church adjacent to it from the south, a large vestibule, and an annex (tomb) with an irregular plan between the vestibule and basilica. The complex is enclosed. A guest house, a rectory, and a high-class school functioned in the monastery.

The single-nave basilica church founded by Gregory the Illuminator in the 4th century, was originally covered with wood. Being renovated for many times the structure preserved up to date dates back to the half of the V century / beginning of the VI century. Renovations were made in 1652 and 1734, as a result of which the original entrance remained in the southern double wall, and the new southwestern entrance was opened from the vestibule after the construction of the cathedral. On the south side of the basilica church there was a wood-covered vestibule, which was demolished at the beginning of the 13th century during the construction of the Kathoghike. The sculpture representing the Vachutian clan emblem was installed on the eastern facade of the basilica church in the XIII century.

St. Garabed Kathoghike Church was built in 1216-1221 by Vache Vachutyan. It is adjacent to the basilica church from the south. On the outside it is rectangular, while on the inside it is cruciform with two-story vaults at the four corners and stone cantilever steps leading to the second floor of the western vaults. The transition from the domed square to the polygonal drum was made by means of sails (the dome was destroyed in 1918). The eastern and southern walls are externally highlighted between the pair of triangular niches. The entrance to the Kathoghike Church opening into the vestibule, has a luxurious decoration. The parapet is decorated with a row of octagonal medallions with crocheted floral decorations, the fields between them are filled with small sculptures. A unique iconography of the evangelical parable of the “Wise and Foolish Virgins” is carved on the back of the façade completely decorated with plants, where the newly married young congregants are represented instead of girls.

Gavit (the vestibule) is adjacent to the Kathoghike and Basilica churches on the west side. The construction was completed in 1250 by Kurd Vachutian. It is a large four-columned central hall, the central opening of which is crowned by a pillared rotunda. The vestibule stands out for its rich interior decoration. The bust of Christ is depicted on one of the ceiling tiles. The rows of three and five arches connecting the columns, externally enliven the west facade of the vestibule. The entrance frame is decorated with sculptures of diagonally shaped crosses. Above the entrance there is a wide mullioned window with a frame decorated with ornamental stones.

The monastery is enclosed on three sides reinforced with semi-circular and rectangular towers. The arched entrance is on the west side. Cloisters adjacent to the enclosure, wells and wine vats on the north side of the basilica church were revealed due to the excavations in 2015. The enclosure was built by Nana (Vaneni), the wife of Kyurikian King Abbas at the end of the 12th century and was thoroughly repaired in the 17th century by Zakaria Vagharshapattsi’s efforts.

🔨 Findings

Fragments of cross-stones and architectural details, pottery.

🌍 Significance

It was the center of the episcopal diocese of Amberd province in the High and Late Middle Ages.

📜 Traditional legends

According to the legend, the monastery was founded by Gregory the Illuminator with pious King Tiridates burying the relics of St. John the Baptist here. Hearing from Z. Kanakertsi A. Davrizhetsi, reports: “When St Illuminator built this, he appointed an overseer named Syughos, and the monastery was named after him, and in translators’ days Gh. Parpetsi was the leader and was writing his own history. He appointed someone named Hovan as an inspector, so it was called Hovannavank. In the days of Nerses the Great lepers and scabies, exhausted by hunger, gathered there, so it was called the Monastery of Hunger.”

📚 Sources

Literature

Arakel Davrizhetsi 1988, History (translated and annotated by V. Arakelyan), Yerevan, “Soviet Writer”, 592 pages.
Zakaria Kanakertsi 2013, Historiography (translated and annotated by V. Arakelyan), Yerevan, “Hayastan”, 272 pages.
Zhamkochian A., Hakobyan N. 2016, Results of the western wall excavations of the Hovhannavank, Etchmiadzin, B, 110-126.
Ghafadaryan K. 1948, Hovhannavank and its inscriptions, Yerevan, Academy of Sciences USSR ed., 123 pages.

List of monuments.
Aragatsotn 2.112/17