Diocese of Artsakh

Diocese of Artsakh (Armenian: Արցախի թեմ Artsakhi t'em) is one of the largest dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church covering the de facto independent Republic of Artsakh. It is named after the historic province of Artsakh; the 10th province of the Kingdom of Armenia. The diocesan headquarters are located on Ghazanchetots street 72, in the town of Shushi. The seat of the bishop is the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral.

Diocese of Artsakh

Արցախի թեմ
Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, the seat of the bishop
Location
CountryRepublic of Artsakh
Statistics
Population
- Total		(as of 2015[1])
~150,000
Churches17 (functioning)[2]
~5,000 (all)[3]
Information
DenominationArmenian Apostolic Church
RiteArmenian Rite
Established1989
CathedralGhazanchetsots, Shushi[4]
Gandzasar (historic)[2]
Secular priests10[2]
Current leadership
PatriarchKarekin II
PrimateArchbishop Pargev Martirosyan
Website
Official website

History

The diocese was established in 1989. Since its creation, archbishop Pargev Martirosyan (Պարգև արքեպիսկոպոս Մարտիրոսյան) has served as its primate.[5][6][2]

All churches in Karabakh were closed in the 1930s by the Soviet government. The totalitarian regime was relatively relaxed by Mikhail Gorbachev. A mass movement for the unification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia started in February 1988.[7] With Armenian national identity in rise in the Soviet Union, the Diocese of Artsakh was established in 1989.[3] The 13th century Gandzasar monastery was the first one to be reopened. It remains the historic center of the Diocese of Artsakh, while the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral is the administrative center of the diocese.[2]

The construction of the Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Stepanakert was launched on July 19, 2006. The cost of the project is around US$2 million and the architect of the church is Gagik Yeranosyan.[8] However, the construction process was slow due to the lack of financial resources. Upon its consecration, it will become the seat of the Diocese of Artsakh.

Active churches

Here is the list of churches, monasteries and chapels functioning under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Artsakh, along with their location and year of consecration:

Churches
  • Vankasar Church, near Martakert, 7th century
  • Holly Resurrection Church, Hadrut, 1621
  • Saint John the Baptist Church (Kanach Zham), Shushi, 1818
  • Saint John the Baptist Church, Martakert, 1881
  • Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral, Shushi, 1888
  • Church of the Holy Ascension, Berdzor, 1998
  • Church of the Holy Mother of God, Askeran, 2002
  • Church of St. Nerses the Great, Martuni, 2004
  • Saint James' Church, Stepanakert, 2007

Monasteries
  • Amaras Monastery, Sos, 4th century
  • Tsitsernavank Monastery, Tsitsernavank, 5-6th centuries
  • Gandzasar monastery, Vank, 10-13th centuries

Inactive/ruined churches and monasteries

This is an incomplete list of inactive or ruined churches and monasteries in the territory regulated by the Diocese of Artsakh:

  • Katarovank Monastery, Hadrut Region, 4th century
  • Yeghishe Arakyal Monastery, Martakert Region, 5th century
  • Dadivank Monastery, Shahumyan Region, 9-13th centuries
  • Gtichavank Monastery, Togh, 1248
  • Yerits Mankants Monastery, Martakert Region, 1691
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See also

References
  1. "Administrative Territorial System of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic". The Office of the NKR President. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  2. "Religion". Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  3. Margaryan, Susanna (2 September 2006). "Արցախի թեմը վերաբացումից 17 տարի անց [The Diocese of Artsakh 17 years after re-opening]". Azg (in Armenian). Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  4. "The Armenian Church Today Dioceses in Armenia". Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  5. Armenian International Magazine, Volume 10, Glendale, California, 1999
  6. O'Mahony, Anthony (2004). Eastern Christianity: Studies in Modern History, Religion and Politics. London: Melisende. p. 148. ISBN 9781901764239.
  7. "Diocese of Artsakh of the Armenian Apostolic Church". Gandzasar.com. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  8. Stepanakert Church
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