Holy Mother of God Church, Yeghvard

Holy Mother of God Church
Սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի

Holy Mother of God Church in October 2009

Religion
Affiliation| Armenian Apostolic Church
Location
Location| Yeghvard, Kotayk Province,
Armenia

Shown within Armenia

Geographic coordinates| 40°19′10″N 44°28′49″E﻿ / ﻿40.3195°N 44.4803°E﻿ / 40.3195; 44.4803
Architecture
Architect(s)| Shahik Vardpet
Type| Cruciform central-plan inside; rectangular almost square plan outside
Style| Armenian
Completed| 1301
Dome(s)| 1

Holy Mother of God Church (Armenian: Սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի), sometimes known as Yeghvard Church, is a medieval Armenian church located at the center of Yeghvard in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It was completed in 1301 during the rule of the Zakarid dynasty by the medieval Armenian architect Vardapet Shahik. The main purpose of the construction was to mark the millennium of the spread of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia. It was built and completed as an alternative church of the nearby ruined Katoghike Church, a large three-nave basilica dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries.[1]

## Architecture[edit]

The Holy Mother of God Church is a small cruciform central-plan interior with a rectangular but almost square plan exterior and a second floor. Centered above is a single cylindrical drum and a conical umbrella type dome. The drum is made up of twelve columns with arches that support the weight of the dome.

The second floor has a semi-cruciform layout with single small windows to the left and rear façades, while on the right is a larger window with a single column that stands in the middle. A small inset portal sits in the middle of the front façade, with the remnants of exterior stone steps that once led to the second floor.

The first floor has a single large portal at the front façade with a semi-circular lintel and decorative columns, while the left, right, and rear façades each have a small window. The left and right are surrounded by a large intricately carved cross in high-relief.

Exceptionally rich decorations cover a large portion of the church. There are beautiful motifs on each side at the second floor level and geometric patterns around the cornices, eaves, and other parts of the walls. Notable is the large cross carved in high relief on the front flanked by the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus and another saint. Below and just above the portal to the second floor are the motifs of a bull and lion. Above the larger window on the right façade is a motif of a large bird with a geometric rosette on its chest holding a hooved animal in its talons. On the left façade is a mountain goat, and on the rear is a large cat pouncing upon a goat.

Adjacent to the church are the remains of a chapel foundation. Khachkars and graves are nearby.

St. Astvatsatsin church of Yeghvard is similar to Noravank built by Momik. In contrast to Noravank, the second floor of St. Astvatsatsin church of Yeghvard was not climbed by stone stairs, but by movable wooden ones.

## Gallery[edit]

* Yeghvard Church View, Yeghvard, Armenia

* Front façade.

*   * Yeghvard Church, front detail, Armenia

*   *   *   *   *   *   * Yeghvard Church, front detail, Armenia

* Yeghvard Church, front doors, Armenia

* Yeghvard Church roof detail, Armenia

*   * Yeghvard Church, roof and cupola detail, Armenia

* Right façade.

* Yeghvard Church, right side detail, Armenia

* Left façade detail.

* Rear façade detail.

* Cross relief detail around window upon the left side of the church.

*   * Foundation of a chapel adjacent to the church.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Donabédian & Porter 2017, pp. 837–855.

### Bibliography[edit]

* Donabédian, Patrick; Porter, Yves (2017). "Eghvard (Arménie, début XIVe siècle), La chapelle de l'alliance" [Yeghvard (Armenia, early 14th century), The chapel of the alliance]. Hortus Artium Medievalium (in French). Belgium: Brepols. 23 (2): 837–855. doi:10.1484/J.HAM.5.113767. ISSN 1330-7274.
* Kiesling, Brady (2005), Rediscovering Armenia: Guide, Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio

## External links[edit]

* Armeniapedia.org: Yeghvard Church & Katoghike Church
* FindArmenia.com: Surp Astvatzatzin (Surp Nshan) Church of Yeghvard
* Yeghvard Church
* Virtual Tour to Yeghvard St.Astvatsatsin church

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint Holy Mother church of Yeghvard.

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Ancient, medieval, and historical Armenian churches and monasteries

Armenia|

Aragatsotn

* Arshakid Mausoleum
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* Astvatsankal Vank
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Ararat

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Armavir

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* Targmanchats Vank
* Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin, St. Gayane, St. Hripsime, St. Mary, Shoghakat)
* Zvartnots

Gegharkunik

* Arnegh Vank
* Artsvanist
* Artsvashen
* Ddmashen
* Hayravank
* Hatsarat
* Kotavank
* Makenyats Vank
* Masruts Anapat
* Noratus (Cemetery, St. George)
* Sevanavank
* Shoghagavank
* Tsaghkevank
* Tsovasar
* Tsovinar
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Kotayk

* Agravavank
* Alapars
* Arnjuts Vank
* Argel
* Arinj
* Artavaz Vank
* Arzni
* Bjni (St. Mary, St. Sarkis)
* Chorut
* Dzagavank
* Geghard
* Gharghavank
* Gehuki Vank
* Havuts Tar
* Kaptavank
* Karenisi Vank
* Kecharis
* Makravank
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* Mashtots Hayrapet
* Mayravank
* Neghutsi Vank
* Ptghavank
* Teghenyats Vank
* Tejharuyk
* Tsiranavor
* Yeghvard (St. Mary, St. Theodoros)

Lori

* Akhtala (Monastery, Church, Church, St. George, Trinity)
* Bardzrakash
* Chichkhanavank
* Dorbantavank
* Dsegh
* Dsevank
* Dzoramiji Vank
* Dzoraezri Vank
* Gtevank
* Haghpat
* Hnevank
* Horomayri
* Karanits Mankants Vank
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* Khorakerti Vank
* Khuchap
* Kobayr
* Kurtan
* Lernapat
* Manstevi Vank
* Odzun
* Sanahin
* Sedvu Vank
* Srbanes Vank
* Sverdlov
* Tormak
* Vanadzor (St. Mary, St. Ohan)

Shirak

* Dprevank
* Gyumri (St. Mary, Holy Saviour)
* Harichavank
* Hogevank
* Karmirvank
* Kumayri
* Lmbatavank
* Marmashen
* Pemzashen
* Sarakap
* Yererouk

Syunik

* Abkavank
* Alan Tagavor
* Baghaku Kar
* Bazhakats Vank
* Bekhi Anapat
* Bgheno-Noravank
* Gandzavank
* Harants Anapat
* Knevank
* Kronits Vank
* Meghri (St. John, St. Mary)
* Sisian
* Surp Ohan Vank
* Tatev (Monastery, Tatevi Anapat, St. Peter-Paul, St. Gregory, St. Mary, Gavazan)
* Vahanavank
* Vorotnavank
* Yeritsavank

Tavush

* Ageghtsi
* Aghavnavank
* Aknaghbyur
* Anrei Vank
* Archis
* Artsvaberd
* Aygehovit (Holy Saviour, St. Mary)
* Baghanis
* Aygedzor (St. John, St. Hripsime)
* Barekamavan (Holy Cross, St. George)
* Berd (St. Gregory, St. Sarkis)
* Berdavan
* Berdavank
* Berkaber
* Choratan
* Deghdzut
* Dilijan
* Ditavan
* Dovegh
* Gandzakar
* Getahovit
* Gomadzor
* Gosh
* Goshavank
* Hanuta Vank
* Haghartsin
* Ijevan
* Jukhtak Vank
* Jukhtak Yeghtsi
* Kalapan
* Kaptavank
* Khachbazar
* Khashtarak
* Khlkhlan
* Khndzorut
* Khoranashat
* Kirants (Arakelots, Trinity, Vank)
* Koti
* Lusadzor
* Makaravank
* Matosavank
* Movsesgyugh
* Mshkavank
* Navur
* Nerkin Voskepar
* Noyemberyan
* Nor Varagavank
* Poghoskilisa
* Samsonavank
* Sarigyugh
* Sevkar
* Sharkhach
* Shkhmurad Vank
* Srveghi Vank
* Tamark
* Tsrviz
* Vazashen
* Voskepar
* Voskevan
* Yenokavan

Vayots Dzor

* Aratesi Vank
* Areni
* Arkaz
* Gladzor
* Gndevank
* Gndevaz
* Herher
* Hermoni Vank
* Karaglukh (Holy Cross, Tukh Manuk)
* Karevank
* Khachik
* Khotakerats Vank
* Mamas Vank
* Noravank
* Shativank
* Spitakavor
* Tanahat
* Tsakhats Kar
* Yeghegis
* Yeghegnadzor
* Zorats
* Zorats Kar

Yerevan

* Avan (St. John, St. Mary, Tsiranavor)
* Kanaker (St. James, St. Mary)
* Yerevan (Gethsemane, Katoghike, St. Anania, St. George, St. Gregory, St. John, St. Mary, St. Paul and Peter, Zoravor)

Azerbaijan (List)|

* Ablah
* Agarak
* Agulis (St. John, St. Kristapor, Kumsi, St. Mary, St. Minas, St. Stephen, St. Thomas, Vank)
* Amaras
* Amuravan
* Amutegh
* Anahit
* Anushavan
* Aparan
* Aprakunis
* Arakhish
* Aresh
* Armavashen
* Ayrivank
* Baku (St. Gregory, St. Mary, St. Thaddeus)
* Banants (St. Gregory, St. Mary, Targmanchats, Dzernavor)
* Bayan
* Bazarkend
* Berdak
* Bist (St. Mary, Holy Sign)
* Bovurkhani Vank
* Brajur
* Bri Yeghtsi
* Chahuk (St. John, Shoghakat)
* Chalet
* Chaldash
* Chanakhchi
* Chaparli
* Charek Vank
* Chokht
* Dadivank
* Dasno Vank
* Dastak
* Dastapor
* Demirov
* Diza
* Dsaghkots Anapat
* Frank
* Gabriel
* Gag
* Gandzasar
* Ganja (St. George, St. Gregory, St. John, St. Sarkis, Kristos, St. Mary, St. Thaddeus)
* Gardman
* Gavurkala
* Getabek (St. Mary, Church)
* Getashen
* Gharadaghlu
* Ghazakh
* Goghtn
* Gtichavank
* Hajishen
* Hakobavank
* Hakobshen (St. Gregory, St. Minas)
* Handaberd
* Harants
* Harants Vank
* Havaptuk
* Hazarabyurats Vank
* Hazaraprkich Vank
* Horekavank
* Husakan
* Jrdakhan
* Jugha (Holy Savour, Hovi, St. Mary)
* Kabakhtapa
* Kaghni
* Karasakal
* Karhani Vank
* Karmir Vank
* Karmiravan
* Katarovank
* Kavakavank
* Keratavank
* Khatravank
* Khoshkashen (St. Mary, St. Yeghishe)
* Khoylu
* Khunasavank
* Kichan
* Kish
* Kona
* Koshik Anapat
* Kovakheghdi Vank
* Krmanka Vank
* Krzen
* Kuki (St. George, St. Mary, St. Vardan)
* Kusanats Anapat
* Kyolk
* Lianosi Vank
* Mamakan
* Masants Vank
* Mayrakaghak
* Medz Nahatak
* Mesropavan
* Minkend
* Mruti Anapat
* Nakhichevan (St. George, Trinity)
* Navish
* Nerkin Aza
* Norakert
* Norashen (St. George, St. Hripsime, St. John, St. Mary, St. Stephen)
* Nors
* Nukzar
* Odskavank
* Odsop
* Ojakh
* Okht
* Okhti Drni
* Okhti Yeghtsi
* Ordubad
* Ovasap
* Pahest
* Pand
* Paraka (Holy Cross, St. Elia, St. Simeon, St. Stephen)
* Partav
* Pip (Barsam, St. Pepronia, St. Stephen)
* Poladlu
* Ptkataghi Vank
* Ramis (St. John, St. Mary, St. Sarkis)
* Shahpekar
* Shahponk (St. Gregory, St. Sarkis)
* Shalva
* Shamen
* Shamkhor
* Shavarshavan
* Shrju
* Shusha (Ghazanchetsots, Kanach Zham, Kusanats Vank, St. Mary)
* Taghaser Anapat
* Tambat
* Targmanchats
* Tatlu
* Tazekend
* Tkhkuti
* Togh (St. John, St. Stephen, Red Church)
* Tran Yeghtsi
* Tsar
* Tsghna
* Tsitsernavank
* Vankasar
* Vaquas
* Vardashen (Church, St. Yeghishe)
* Varzakan
* Verin Karhat
* Voghohi (Holy Cross, St. Stephen)
* Voskanapat
* Yeghishe Arakyal
* Yeghnasari Vank
* Yekeghetsadzor
* Yeni Zod
* Yerenjak
* Yeri Vank
* Yerits Mankants
* Yermoghia
* Zakatala

Georgia (List)|

* Abibos
* Abisosi Vank
* Akhaltskha
* Bnidzor
* Dsughrughashen
* Pokr Khanchali
* Shahumyan (St. Mary, Holy Sunday)
* Tbilisi (Vank, Bethlehem, Chugureti, Ejmiatsnetsots, St. George, St. Gregory, Jigrasheni Avetyats, Kamoyants, Karapet, Karapi, Karmir Avetaran, Khojivank, Geghardavank, Mughni, Norashen, Holy Cross, Holy Sign, St. Sarkis, St. Stephen, Dzorabash, Tandoyants, Zrkinyants)
* Tokavank
* Tskhinvali

Turkey (List)|

* Abdelmseh
* Ablbuhar
* Abrahamavank
* Adamakert
* Adana (St. Mary, Morotu)
* Agarak
* Aghberts Vank
* Aghbunar
* Aghmaghara
* Aghperig
* Aghtamar
* Agreki Vank
* Ahavank
* Akevra
* Akhkosi Vank
* Akner
* Aknji Vank
* Akori
* Albayrak
* Amrdolu
* Anarzaba
* Ani (List, Cathedral, Holy Saviour, Gaskashen, Honents, Abugamerats, Arakelots, Kusanats, Abukhanmi, Aghjkaberd, Hovi)
* Aparank
* Arakelots Vank
* Arapgir
* Argelan
* Arkakaghni
* Arkayakaghni Vank
* Arter
* Ashtishat
* Aygek
* Ayridzor
* Baberd (St. Ohan, Kristos)
* Bagavan
* Bagnayri Vank
* Bana
* Bardzraberd
* Barsam
* Barthoghimevos Vank
* Berkri
* Çanakkale
* Charkhapan
* Chordvank
* Constantinople (Galata, Kuzguncuk, Fatih, Kartal, Samatya, Taksim, Beyoğlu, Beyoğlu)
* Drazark
* Dzor
* Elazig
* Enda Vank
* Endzakar
* Eskişehir
* Fenki Vank
* Firsi Vank
* Frnuz
* Garapazar
* Gaziantep
* Gelati Vank
* Ghukas
* Goms
* Grneri Vank
* Hekimkhan
* Hogots
* Hogyats Vank
* Horomos
* Ishkhan
* Ishkhanigom
* İskenderun
* Jermik
* Kamari Vank
* Kamatun
* Kamrjadzor
* Kangvar
* Kanzak
* Kaposi Vank
* Karapet Vank
* Karasni Vank
* Karmirvank
* Karmravank
* Kars (Cathedral, St. Mary)
* Kava
* Kes
* Kesaria
* Khachatro Anapat
* Khachbazari
* Khalfeti
* Khora Anapat
* Khorsana
* Khtzkonk
* Ktuts
* Khunarktor
* Levonberd
* Lim
* Malatia
* Mam
* Manazkert
* Manravank
* Marinos Vank
* Mazhak
* Medzopavank
* Mokats Vank
* Mokhraberd
* Molevoni Vank
* Mordsako
* Mren
* Mush (St. Marine, Holy Sign)
* Narekavank
* Odeli
* Odzi Khazina
* Ogsend
* Ohan
* Oski Tur
* Otur
* Pakagetik
* Por
* Rshtuni
* Sachle
* Sbkhech
* Sis (Andul Vank, Gavikata Vank, Atanagine Vank)
* Sivrihisar
* Skanchelagordz Vank
* Smbataberd
* Smyrna
* Soradir
* Sparanits
* Srkuvank
* Tarsiakh
* Tashan
* Tavblur
* Tekor
* Tevrik
* Tigranakert
* Trebizond
* Tsarakar Vank
* Tspni
* Van
* Varagavank
* Vardan Vank
* Vardenotsats
* Vardkan Anapat
* Varzahan
* Vosteghavank
* Yeghegnamor
* Yeghrdut
* Yerazgavors
* Zoravank

Iran (List)|

* Thadei Vank
* Maghardavank
* Dzordzori Vank
* Hovi
* Darashamb
* Haftvan
* Khoy
* Mahlezan
* Tabriz (St. Mary, St. Sarkis, Mariam)
* Mujumbar
* Sohrol
* Maragheh
* Sarnaq
* Nor Jugha (Vank, St. Mary, St. George, St. Stephen, St. John, St. Catherine, Bethlehem, St. Nicholas, St. Gregory, St. Sarkis, Isfahan, St. Minas, St. Nerses)
* Shiraz
* Tehran (St. Thaddeus, St. George)

Jerusalem (Palestine/Israel)|

* Armenian Quarter
* Cathedral of St. James
* Church of St. Toros
* Church of the Holy Archangels
* Monastery of St. Saviour
* Chapel of St. Helena

Rest of Asia|

Syria

* Aleppo

India

* Chennai
* Calcutta
* Chinsura
* Saidabad

Bangladesh

* Dhaka

Israel

* St. Nicholas Monastery

Cyprus

* Magar Vank
* Notre Dame de Tyre
* Ganchvor

Singapore

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator

Rest of Europe|

Crimea

* Bogatoe
* Holy Cross
* Holy Friday
* Holy Sign
* Feodosia (St. George, St. Demetrius, Michael, St. Mary, St. Sarkis)
* St. Nicholas
* Topolevka
* Yalta

Ukraine

* Kamenetz-Podolsk (St. Mary, St. Stephen)
* Lviv (St. Mary, Holy Cross)

Russia

* Georgievsk
* Moscow (Holy Cross, St. Mary)
* Nor Nakhichevan (Holy Cross, Ascension, St. Gregory, St. Nicholas, St. Mary)
* Sultan-Saly
* St. Petersburg (St. Catherine, Resurrection)

Romania

* Hagikadar
* Zamca

Italy

* San Lazzaro degli Armeni

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