Sevanavank

Name: Sevanavank
Monument type: Church- Monastic Complex
Region: Gegharkunik Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Sevanavank

Other nomination: Sevan desert

Monument type: Monastery complex

Region: Gegharkunik

Community: Sevan

Residence: Sevan city

Location: North-east of Sevan city, south-western side of the Sevan peninsula, upland area

Preservation: A restored, functioning church

Altitude: 1940 m

Era and chronology: IX-XI centuries; continuously functioned since High Middle Ages up to the beginning of the XX century

Sevanavank: A Medieval Marvel on the Shores of Sevan

As you stand amidst the ancient stones and graceful arches of Sevanavank, you can’t help but be transported back in time, feeling the echoes of Armenia’s history and spirituality reverberating through the centuries.
Throughout its existence, Sevanavank was a refuge for Armenian royalty and nobility during times of turmoil, including during the Arab conquests. This historical backdrop imbues this site with an aura of resilience and strength that will undoubtedly resonate deeply within you.

Sevanavank, a name that resonates with reverence and mystique, is situated in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia, overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Sevan. This ancient site is perched at an elevation of 1940 meters, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Located to the northeast of Sevan city, Sevanavank occupies a strategic position on the southwestern side of the Sevan Peninsula.

The complex’s history stretches back to the 9th to 11th centuries, when it was established as a stronghold during Armenia’s struggle against Arab invaders. This strategically important island-fortress controlled vital roads leading from the Ararat valley to the northeast. Legends speak of the first structure, the St. Haroutyoun (Resurrection) temple, founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator in 305.

During the 9th century, under the leadership of Mashtots Yeghvardetsi, the future catholicos, the congregation expanded. Notably, Princess Mariam, the daughter of King Ashot A Bagratuni, played a role in the monastery’s growth by building St. Arkelots and St. Astvatsatsin churches in 874. King Ashot A himself made substantial donations during a visit in 883.

Sevanavank’s architectural ensemble consists of three churches, with St. Arakelots and St. Astvatsatsin churches still in use today.

St. Arakelots, also known as St. Karapet after a 1654 renovation, boasts a cross-domed structure with exquisite semicircular and rectangular apses. Its unique transition from a domed base into an octagonal drum is a remarkable architectural feature.

St. Astvatsatsin, located nearby, is even larger and features a dome transition using sails, a rarity for monuments in Gegharkunik from the 9th to 10th centuries. The presence of two depositories and intricate columns with carved wooden capitals adds to its charm.

The third church, now a mere foundation, stands on the eastern edge of the complex, dating back to the late 10th to early 11th century.

The use of semi-finished basalt and gray tuff, with joints leveled by lime mortar, showcases the craftsmanship of the era. Inside, visitors can admire carved wooden capitals and two doors of artistic value, dating back to 1176 and 1522, now preserved in the History Museum of Armenia.

Sevanavank played a vital role in education, nurturing numerous high-ranking clergymen, and housing a treasure trove of relics, church utensils, and literature. The restoration efforts in the mid-20th century and the 1990s have ensured that the spirit of Sevanavank endures. Today, the Vaskenian Theological Academy operates on the island, furthering its legacy.

FACTS

❈ Sevanavank, perched at an elevation of 1940 meters overlooking Lake Sevan in Armenia’s Gegharkunik region, has a history dating back to the 9th to 11th centuries when it served as a stronghold against Arab invaders.

❈ The complex’s origins include the St. Haroutyoun temple, founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator in 305, with expansion driven by Princess Mariam and King Ashot A Bagratuni in the 9th century.

❈ Sevanavank’s architectural ensemble consists of three churches, with St. Arakelots and St. Astvatsatsin churches still in use. St. Arakelots features a unique transition from a domed base to an octagonal drum, while St. Astvatsatsin stands out for its dome transition using sails.

❈ The use of semi-finished basalt and gray tuff, along with intricately carved wooden capitals and doors, showcases the craftsmanship of the era.

❈ Sevanavank played a crucial role in education and housed relics, church utensils, and literature. Restoration efforts in the 20th and 21st centuries have preserved its spirit, and today, the Vaskenian Theological Academy continues its legacy on the island.

🔍 Research history

The first descriptions of the monument were made in the XIX-XX centuries by topographers (H. Shahkhatunyants, S. Jalalyants, M. Smbatyants, G. Alishan, E. Lalayan). The architecture was studied by S. Mnatsakanyan in the middle of the XX century.

🧱 Archaeological description

Location
The monastery is located on the island of Sevan (since 1950s a peninsula), which was an inaccessible enclosed fortress. Due to its position, the island controlled the surrounding villages from all four sides.

Stratigraphy
According to the legend, the first structure of Sevanavank was St. Haroutyoun (Resurrection) temple founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator in 305. According to chronicle and lithographic sources, Armenian kings and princes took refuge on the island of Sevan during the Arab conquests. The prosperous period of the monastery in the 9th century is connected with its leader Mashtots Yeghvardetsi (future catholicos). During his reign the congregation was expanded, and Princess Mariam, the daughter of King Ashot A Bagratuni and widow of Vasak Gabur of Syunik, built St. Arkelots and St. Astvatsatsin churches in 874. In 883 on his return from Georgia, King Ashot A visited Sevanavank and made many donations. During the battle against the Arab general Beshir in 921/2, Ashot B Bagratuni fortified on the island of Sevan. As a result of the enemy raids, Sevanavank was abandoned restored for several times.
The monastery played an important role in the field of education, generated many high-ranking clergymen. Many relics and church utensils, handwritten and printed literature were kept in the monastery. The churches were renovated in 1956-1957, as well as in the 1990s. Currently Vaskenian Theological Academy operates on the island, with a three-story church in its courtyard. ?

Architecture
It consists of three churches, with only St. Arakelots and St. Astvatsatsin churches functioning. On the eastern secluded side of the island, there were cloisters called “mashtots”. The residential buildings built by the congregation in 1832 are located in the west of the churches.
St. Arakelots (after the 1654 renovation St. Karapet) is a cross-domed structure with three semicircles and western rectangular apses, with a vaulted depository on the south-eastern side. The transition from the domed base into the octagonal drum was accomplished by means of four trumpets. The floor was not paved, but covered with a layer of lime mortar. The only entrance is on the southern side of the western transept. The archway surrounding the entrance was added later to increase the structural strength of the western transept.
St. Astvatsatsin is located 10 m south-east from St. Arakelots, has the same composition, it is only larger in size. Here the transition to the dome is carried out by means of sails, which is rare for the IX-X century monuments in Gegharkunik. It has two depositories on the eastern side, the north-eastern one of which was added later. Entrances are at the southern and western transepts. The vestibule standing until the 1930s, is adjacent to the west. The columns of the portico are crowned by carved wooden capitals. According to the preserved inscriptions, St. Astvatsatsin was renovated in 1664, as well as in 1832-36.
The third church located in the east of the other two, is a domed hall-type structure, with only the foundation walls preserved. Presumably, it was built at the end of the X century / at the beginning of the XI century.
The churches of Sevanavank were built with semi-finished basalt, and the structural parts – with gray tuff. The joints between the rows were leveled with lime mortar.

Findings

The carved wooden capitals and two doors of rare artistic value from Sevanavank dating back to 1176 and 1522 are kept in the History Museum of Armenia.

🌍 Significance

Sevanavank is one of the famous medieval religious centers. It was built on a strategically important island-fortress built in the VIII-X centuries. It was a stronghold during the struggle against the Arabs and controlled the roads leading from the Ararat valley to the north-east.

📜 Traditional legends

“Demolishing the pagan temples and throwing them into the water, Gregory the Illuminator establishes the cross of Christ here and builds the Cathedral of St. Haroutyoun in 305. The place is called “Sa e van” that is to say Sevan, meaning a suitable place for a monastery. Gregory the Illuminator leaves some of the religious brought from Caesarea here, whose successors serve up to day”.
“Mashtots has a vision in his dream on 12 apostles walking toward him on the lake and pointing to the place of the church. Due to the vision, Mashtots allowed women to come to Sevanavank for pilgrimage purposes, which was forbidden before.”
“The people of Van migrate and resettle on the banks of Sevan, considering it as another Van. But then, they don’t like the cold and harsh climate of the place. They remember the mild and warm nature of their country, their prosperous life and bitterly call Black Van came upon us, black Van. And so the name of the lake remains Sevan (sev – black).”

📚 Sources

Stepanos Orbelyan 1986, History of Syunik (translated by A. Abrahamyan), Yerevan, “Soviet writer”, 615 pages.
Mnatsakanyan S. 1960, Syunik School of Armenian Architecture, Yerevan, USSR State Publishing House, 267 pages.
Smbatyants M. 1895, Topographer of Gegharkunik Tsovazard Province, Vagharshapat, Mother See of St. Etchmiadzin, 843 pages.
Ghanalanyan A. 1969, Legends, Yerevan, Academy of Sciences ASSR ed., 530 pages.

List of monuments
Gegharkunik 5.4/18

Gallery

The plans of St. Astvatsatsin and St. Arakelots (Apostolic) Churches (Harutyunyan 1992)
St. Astvatsatsin and St. Arakelots churches from the north-east (photo by A. Babajanyan)
St. Arakelots Church from the south-west (photo by A. Babajanyan)
St. Astvatsatsin Church from the south-east (photo by A. Babajanyan)
The vestibule of St. Astvatsatsin Church with pillar anchors (photo by A. Babajanyan)
The base of the dome of St. Astvatsatsin Church (photo by A. Babajanyan)
The interior of St. Arakelots Church (photo by A. Babajanyan)