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{{Infobox religious building
]
| building_name = Tsitsernavank Monastery
'''Tzitzernavank (Dzidzernavank) Monastery''' ({{lang-hy|Ծիծեռնավանք}}) is an ] monastery located in ] district of ], currently under the control of ] independent ]. The monastery is within 5 kilometers from the official border of the ] (province of ]).
| infobox_width =
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| image_size = 250px
| caption = The monastery in 2015
| map_type = Azerbaijan
| map_size = 225
| location = ]/], ], ]
| coordinates = {{coord|39.644|46.408511|type:landmark_region:AZ|display=inline,title}}
| religious_affiliation = ]
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| architecture_type = Three-aisled ]<ref name="IoAA"/>
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| year_completed = 5th-6th century<ref name="IoAA"/>
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'''Tsitsernavank'''{{efn|Alternatively spelled '''Tsitsernavank''' or '''Dzidzernavank'''}} ({{langx|hy|Ծիծեռնավանք}}) is a fifth-to-sixth century<ref name="IoAA"/><ref>Turner, Jane (ed.). ''The Dictionary of Art''. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2003, p. 425. {{ISBN|0-19-517068-7}}.</ref> ] monastery<ref>Paolo Cuneo, "La basilique de Tsitsernavank dans le Karabagh," '']'' 4 (1967), pp. 203—216</ref><ref>Tom Sinclair. Architecture:Armenian Monasteries // Encyclopedia of Monasticism / Associate Editors John W. Barker Gail Geiger Richard Lansing. — ], 2013. — P. 54</ref><ref name="IoAA"/> in the ] of ]. The monastery is within five kilometers of the border of ]'s province of ], in an area historically known as ''Kashataghk'' ({{Langx|hy|Քաշաթաղք}}).<ref name="Samvel">{{cite book|author=Samvel Karapetyan|author-link=Samvel Karapetyan (author)|url=http://www.raa-am.com/raa/pdf_files/136.pdf|title=Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh|date=2001|publisher=RAA|pages=147–149}}</ref>


In ], the monastery is called '''Aghoghlan''' ({{Langx|az|Ağoğlan}}); the state refuses to recognize the monastery as Armenian Apostolic, instead ].
The monastery dates from the 4th - 6th centuries and recognized as a native Armenian example of an “oriental” architectural type <ref></ref>. Being a three-nave basilica, like most of those in Armenia of V-VI centuries <ref></ref>, Tzitzernavank's central nave is only slightly taller than the lateral naves, from which it is separated by two courses of pilasters. The plan is similar to a series of Armenian basilicas like Ererouyk, Eghvard, Dvin, Ashtarak (Tziranavor), Tekor - in that it had an interior composed of three aisles or naves, the central and largest one of which was separated from the others by pillars which also helped support the roof.<ref>, by Dickran Kouymjian, Armenian Studies, Csufresno.edu</ref>
The basilica of Tzitzernavank Monastery was believed to contain relics of ]. In the past, the monastery belonged to the ] eparchy and is mentioned as a notable religious center by the 13th century historian ] and Bishop ] (1655).


== Etymology ==
The church of St. George (St. Gevorg) was reopened after a restoration in 1999-2000, and is a venue of annual festivals honoring St. George.<ref></ref>
There are two interpretations about the ] etymology of the church. The first interpretation is that the name of the church is based on Armenian word "]", which means ]. According to researchers, the usage of this name of because of swallows who made nests in the church's ruins.<ref name="IoAA" /> According to the other interpretation, the name of the church is based on Armenian word "]", which means ], presumably a reference to the relics of St. George that were kept in the church.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Tzitzernavank |title=Documents of Armenian Architecture/Documenti di Architettura Armena Series |publisher=Polytechnique and the ] |volume=21 Milan |edition=OEMME Edizioni |year=1989 }}</ref>


The etymology of the ] name for the ] church—as it is referred to in the country—''{{lang|az|Ağoğlan}}'' (''Aghoghlan''), is believed to be related to the river passing nearby, which possesses the same name.<ref name=":1">{{cite book |title=Зодчество Кавказской Албании |last=Mammadova |first=Gulchohra |author-link=Gulchohra Mammadova |year=2004 |publisher=Chashyoglu |location=Baku |language=ru }}</ref>
There exist differing opinions as to the etymology of the name ''Tzitzernavank''. Some authors state that the name originates from the word "tzitzernak" which designates the bird swallow in Armenian, and point to once abundant swallow nests inside the ruined church of St. George. Others believe that the name of the monastery derives from the word "tzitzern" which in Armenian means "little finger" - presumably in reference to the relics of St. George that were kept in the church. <ref>Volume 21.: Tzitzernavank. Documents of Armenian Art/Documenti di Architettura Armena Series. Polytechnique and the Armenian Academy of Sciences, Milan, OEMME Edizioni; 1989</ref>
==Publications==
*P. Cuneo, La basiliąuede Cicernavank dans le Karabagh, „Revues des Etudes Armeniennes NS”, IV: 1967, s. 203-216 (in French).


==Links== ==History==
]
*
Historically, Tsitsernavank Monastery is located in '''Aghahechk''', one of the 12 cantons of the historical Armenian province and principality of ]. By the 15th century Aghahechk had split into two districts: the northern half was called Khozhoraberd; the southern half, containing Tsitsernavank, was called Kashatagh.<ref>{{cite book | last = Hewsen | first = Robert H. | title = Armenia: A Historical Atlas | year = 2001|location=Chicago| publisher =University of Chicago Press | isbn= 0-226-33228-4 | pages = 100–104, 121–123 }}</ref>
*, Adriano Alpago Novello, ARCHITETTURA ARMENA - Catalogo della MOSTRA DI ARCHITETTURA ARMENA tenuta a Bergamo, presso il Palazzo della Ragione, 1975 - Torino

*
The basilica of Tsitsernavank was believed to contain relics of ]. In the past, the monastery belonged to the ] diocese and is mentioned as a notable religious centre by the 13th-century historian ] and Bishop Tovma Vanandetsi (1655).
*

*
In 1613, the monastery's fortified wall was repaired and its arched gateway was constructed. The building inscription in Armenian recording this act disappeared between 1989 and 1992, during the ].<ref>Karapetian, Samvel. ''Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabagh''. Yerevan: Gitutiun Publishing House, 2001, p. 145.</ref> The church and its belltower were renovated in 1779. The building inscription in Armenian recording this renovation disappeared in 1967.<ref>Hasratyan, Murad M. ''Tsitsernavank''. Yerevan: Vneshtorgizdat, 1990, p. 5.</ref>
*

In the 19th century, it served as the parish church for the adjoining peasant settlement of Zeyva and was called St. Stephanos. Zeyva's Armenian inhabitants fled during 1905 ] war, never to return. During the Soviet period, the village was renamed Gusulu and the church was unused but preserved as a historical monument.<ref>Karapetian. ''Armenian Cultural Monuments'', p. 137.</ref> Tsitsernavank's church of St. George (St. Gevorg) was reconsecrated in October 2001, after a heavy restoration in 1999-2000 paid for by ] funds, and is a venue for annual festivals honouring ].<ref>{{in lang|ru}} .</ref>

The church and the Lachin District were returned to Azerbaijan on 1 December 2020 as part of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/churches-and-christian-monuments-due-to-be-handed-over-in-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-deal-/30944878.html|title=Left Behind? Churches, Monasteries Due for Handover to Azerbaijan}}</ref>

==Architecture==
]
The church has no early building inscriptions; however, based on its appearance, it is believed to have been constructed in three main stages. Its earliest form appears to have been a simple rectangular basilica, without an ]. Based on the style of the doorways in its south wall, this building period has been dated to the 5th or 6th century AD.<ref>Donabedian, Patrick and ], ''Armenian Art''. New York: H.N. Abrams in association with Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America-Catholicosate of Cilicia, 1989, p. 509.</ref> However, an alternative thesis exists that dates this stage to the 3rd century AD, and suggests that it was a pre-Christian temple.<ref>Hasratyan. ''Tsitsernavank'', pp. 5-6.</ref> During the second stage of construction, a windowless apse was added (constructed inside the eastern end of the rectangular interior) and the upper parts of the outside walls were built. This may have happened in the 6th century. At this period, the arcades that separated the interior nave from its aisles were probably still constructed of timber. In the third period of construction, stone pillars and arches replaced them. Based on the style of their capitals, this occurred sometime between the end of the 6th century and the beginning of the 10th century.<ref>Donabedian and Thierry. ''Armenian Art'', p. 509.</ref>

The monastery is recognized as a native Armenian example of an "oriental" basilica.<ref></ref> Being a three-nave basilica, like most of those in Armenia of 5-6th centuries;<ref></ref> Tsitsernavank's central nave is only slightly taller than the lateral naves, from which it is separated by two rows of pillars. The plan is similar to a series of Armenian basilicas like Yereruyk, ], ], Ashtarak (]), ] - in that it had an interior composed of three aisles or naves, the central and largest one of which was separated from the others by pillars which also helped support the roof.<ref name="Ererouk" />

The church has an inscription dating back before the 10th century that reads "Remember the prayers of your servant, the undeserving Grigor, for his beloved brother Azat."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/armenians-displaced-from-nagorno-karabakh-fear-their-medieval-churches-will-be-destroyed-149141|title=Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh fear their medieval churches will be destroyed}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140">
File:Tzitzernavank-Monastery.jpg| Southern wall of the monastery
File:Cicernavank1.jpeg|Tombstone with Armenian inscripions close to church
File:Tzitzernavank Monastery 100.JPG|Outer wall surrounding the monastery
File:Cicernavank3.jpeg|The Monastery's interior.
File:Tzitzernavank Monastery 113.JPG
File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2006-725.jpg|Azerbaijani stamp depicting the monastery
</gallery>

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{notelist}}
<references />
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name="IoAA">{{cite web | first = Dickran | last = Kouymjian | title = Index of Armenian Art: Armenian Architecture - Tsitsernavank | url = http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/iaa_architecture/tsitsernavank.htm | work = Armenian Studies Program | publisher = ] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130928014330/http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/iaa_architecture/tsitsernavank.htm | archive-date = 2013-09-28 }}</ref>
<ref name="Ererouk">{{cite web |first = Dickran |last = Kouymjian |url = http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/faculty/kouymjian/articles/ererouk.htm |title = In Search of the History of the Ererouk Basilica |work = Armenian Studies Program |publisher = ] |access-date = May 11, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080725091042/http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/faculty/kouymjian/articles/ererouk.htm |archive-date = July 25, 2008 }}</ref>
}}


==External links==
]
*
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209144407/http://www.csdca.it/presentazione/testi%20alpago+/chiese.htm |date=2012-02-09 }}, ], ARCHITETTURA ARMENA - Catalogo della MOSTRA DI ARCHITETTURA ARMENA tenuta a Bergamo, presso il Palazzo della Ragione, 1975 - Torino
*
*
*


{{Armenian Churches}}
{{armenia-stub}}
{{azerbaijan-stub}}


]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 07:54, 2 November 2024

Tsitsernavank Monastery
The monastery in 2015
Religion
AffiliationArmenian Apostolic Church
Location
LocationHüsülü/Ağoğlan, Lachin District, Azerbaijan
Tsitsernavank Monastery is located in AzerbaijanTsitsernavank MonasteryShown within Azerbaijan
Geographic coordinates39°38′38″N 46°24′31″E / 39.644°N 46.408511°E / 39.644; 46.408511
Architecture
TypeThree-aisled basilica
StyleArmenian
Completed5th-6th century

Tsitsernavank (Armenian: Ծիծեռնավանք) is a fifth-to-sixth century Armenian Apostolic monastery in the Lachin District of Azerbaijan. The monastery is within five kilometers of the border of Armenia's province of Syunik, in an area historically known as Kashataghk (Armenian: Քաշաթաղք).

In Azerbaijan, the monastery is called Aghoghlan (Azerbaijani: Ağoğlan); the state refuses to recognize the monastery as Armenian Apostolic, instead referring to it as "Caucasian Albanian".

Etymology

There are two interpretations about the Armenian etymology of the church. The first interpretation is that the name of the church is based on Armenian word "Tsitsernak", which means swallow. According to researchers, the usage of this name of because of swallows who made nests in the church's ruins. According to the other interpretation, the name of the church is based on Armenian word "tsitsern", which means pinky finger, presumably a reference to the relics of St. George that were kept in the church.

The etymology of the Azerbaijani name for the mislabeledly Albanian church—as it is referred to in the country—Ağoğlan (Aghoghlan), is believed to be related to the river passing nearby, which possesses the same name.

History

General view of Tsitsernavank

Historically, Tsitsernavank Monastery is located in Aghahechk, one of the 12 cantons of the historical Armenian province and principality of Syunik. By the 15th century Aghahechk had split into two districts: the northern half was called Khozhoraberd; the southern half, containing Tsitsernavank, was called Kashatagh.

The basilica of Tsitsernavank was believed to contain relics of St. George the Dragon-Slayer. In the past, the monastery belonged to the Tatev diocese and is mentioned as a notable religious centre by the 13th-century historian Stepanos Orbelian and Bishop Tovma Vanandetsi (1655).

In 1613, the monastery's fortified wall was repaired and its arched gateway was constructed. The building inscription in Armenian recording this act disappeared between 1989 and 1992, during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. The church and its belltower were renovated in 1779. The building inscription in Armenian recording this renovation disappeared in 1967.

In the 19th century, it served as the parish church for the adjoining peasant settlement of Zeyva and was called St. Stephanos. Zeyva's Armenian inhabitants fled during 1905 Armenian-Tatar war, never to return. During the Soviet period, the village was renamed Gusulu and the church was unused but preserved as a historical monument. Tsitsernavank's church of St. George (St. Gevorg) was reconsecrated in October 2001, after a heavy restoration in 1999-2000 paid for by Armenian diaspora funds, and is a venue for annual festivals honouring St. George.

The church and the Lachin District were returned to Azerbaijan on 1 December 2020 as part of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement.

Architecture

Plan of the basilica

The church has no early building inscriptions; however, based on its appearance, it is believed to have been constructed in three main stages. Its earliest form appears to have been a simple rectangular basilica, without an apse. Based on the style of the doorways in its south wall, this building period has been dated to the 5th or 6th century AD. However, an alternative thesis exists that dates this stage to the 3rd century AD, and suggests that it was a pre-Christian temple. During the second stage of construction, a windowless apse was added (constructed inside the eastern end of the rectangular interior) and the upper parts of the outside walls were built. This may have happened in the 6th century. At this period, the arcades that separated the interior nave from its aisles were probably still constructed of timber. In the third period of construction, stone pillars and arches replaced them. Based on the style of their capitals, this occurred sometime between the end of the 6th century and the beginning of the 10th century.

The monastery is recognized as a native Armenian example of an "oriental" basilica. Being a three-nave basilica, like most of those in Armenia of 5-6th centuries; Tsitsernavank's central nave is only slightly taller than the lateral naves, from which it is separated by two rows of pillars. The plan is similar to a series of Armenian basilicas like Yereruyk, Yeghvard, Dvin, Ashtarak (Tsiranavor), Tekor - in that it had an interior composed of three aisles or naves, the central and largest one of which was separated from the others by pillars which also helped support the roof.

The church has an inscription dating back before the 10th century that reads "Remember the prayers of your servant, the undeserving Grigor, for his beloved brother Azat."

Gallery

  • Southern wall of the monastery Southern wall of the monastery
  • Tombstone with Armenian inscripions close to church Tombstone with Armenian inscripions close to church
  • Outer wall surrounding the monastery Outer wall surrounding the monastery
  • The Monastery's interior. The Monastery's interior.
  • Azerbaijani stamp depicting the monastery Azerbaijani stamp depicting the monastery

See also

References

  1. Alternatively spelled Tsitsernavank or Dzidzernavank
  1. ^ Kouymjian, Dickran. "Index of Armenian Art: Armenian Architecture - Tsitsernavank". Armenian Studies Program. California State University, Fresno. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28.
  2. Turner, Jane (ed.). The Dictionary of Art. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2003, p. 425. ISBN 0-19-517068-7.
  3. Paolo Cuneo, "La basilique de Tsitsernavank dans le Karabagh," Revue des Études Arméniennes 4 (1967), pp. 203—216
  4. Tom Sinclair. Architecture:Armenian Monasteries // Encyclopedia of Monasticism / Associate Editors John W. Barker Gail Geiger Richard Lansing. — Routledge, 2013. — P. 54
  5. Samvel Karapetyan (2001). Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh (PDF). RAA. pp. 147–149.
  6. "Tzitzernavank". Documents of Armenian Architecture/Documenti di Architettura Armena Series. Vol. 21 Milan (OEMME Edizioni ed.). Polytechnique and the Armenian National Academy of Sciences. 1989.
  7. Mammadova, Gulchohra (2004). Зодчество Кавказской Албании (in Russian). Baku: Chashyoglu.
  8. Hewsen, Robert H. (2001). Armenia: A Historical Atlas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 100–104, 121–123. ISBN 0-226-33228-4.
  9. Karapetian, Samvel. Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabagh. Yerevan: Gitutiun Publishing House, 2001, p. 145.
  10. Hasratyan, Murad M. Tsitsernavank. Yerevan: Vneshtorgizdat, 1990, p. 5.
  11. Karapetian. Armenian Cultural Monuments, p. 137.
  12. (in Russian) В Цицернаванке праздновали день Святого Георгия Победоносца, Kavkaz.Memo.Ru, 29/9/2003.
  13. "Left Behind? Churches, Monasteries Due for Handover to Azerbaijan".
  14. Donabedian, Patrick and Jean-Michel Thierry, Armenian Art. New York: H.N. Abrams in association with Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America-Catholicosate of Cilicia, 1989, p. 509.
  15. Hasratyan. Tsitsernavank, pp. 5-6.
  16. Donabedian and Thierry. Armenian Art, p. 509.
  17. Thais.it - Architettura Armena
  18. Orthodox encyclopedia, ed. by the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexius II, article "Armenia"
  19. Kouymjian, Dickran. "In Search of the History of the Ererouk Basilica". Armenian Studies Program. California State University, Fresno. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
  20. "Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh fear their medieval churches will be destroyed".

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