Surb Astvatsatsin of Areni (Armenian: Սուրբ Աստուածածին եկեղեցի; meaning the "Holy Mother of God Church"; also Areni Church Armenian: Արենիի եկեղեցի) is a single-nave two-aisled domed church completed in the year 1321. It is located atop a plateau overlooking the Arpa River and the village of Areni in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia.

Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Areni
Արենիի Սուրբ Աստուածածին եկեղեցի
S. Astvatsatsin Church at Areni (southern and western façades)
Religion
AffiliationArmenian Apostolic Church
RegionCaucasus
Location
LocationAreni, Vayots Dzor Province,  Armenia
Areni Church is located in Armenia
Areni Church
Shown within Armenia
Areni Church is located in Vayots Dzor
Areni Church
Areni Church (Vayots Dzor)
Geographic coordinates39°43′27″N 45°11′22″E / 39.72406°N 45.189491°E / 39.72406; 45.189491
Architecture
Architect(s)Momik Vardpet
TypeArmenian; Church
StyleDomed-hall; single-nave two-aisles
GroundbreakingLate 13th-early 14th century
Completed1321
Dome(s)1

Architecture

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S. Astvatsatsin is a domed-hall type church with a single drum and a conical umbrella type dome resting above. Two portals lead into the structure from the south and west. An effigy of the Virgin Mary is carved upon the tympanum in high-relief above the lintel of

 
Decorative tympanum above western entry depicting the Virgin Mary and Christ.

the west portal. This carving and many others that may be found on the church are considered to be masterpieces of artwork done by Momik Vardpet, who according to inscriptions was also the architect for the church. He is best known for his high-relief carvings at the monastery of Noravank, located approximately 6 kilometers southeast from Areni. Upon the tympanum above the lintel of the southern portal are the carvings of crosses.

In the center of the church interior, arched pendentives support the drum and dome above. High-relief carvings of mythical creatures adorn each of the four stone panels between the pendentives and base of the drum. Small vertical windows around the drum as well as small windows at each of the four façades let light into the main floor below. A semi-circular apse is located at the eastern wall of the structure and small "studies" or prayer rooms are adjacent on either side. The arched window above the apse is divided by a single column for decorative and structural purposes.

Some interesting tombstones and khachkars may be seen adjacent to the church. Nearby are also the 13th century ruins of lord Tarsaitch Orbelian of Syunik's palace, moved from Yeghegis to Areni during that time. Ruins of a 13th-century bridge built by Bishop Sarkis in 1265-1287 are to the northeast one kilometer. At the same location are the remains of an older bridge.

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See also

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Bibliography

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  • Kiesling, Brady (June 2000). Rediscovering Armenia: An Archaeological/Touristic Gazetteer and Map Set for the Historical Monuments of Armenia (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 November 2021.
  • Kiesling, Brady (2005), Rediscovering Armenia: Guide, Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio
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