Surp Hovhannes Church ( hy, Սուրբ Հովհաննես եկեղեցի; translates to the "Church of
Saint John") is an important 10th century
basilica located in the village of
Byurakan in the
Aragatsotn Province of
Armenia. Not very far away from S. Hovhannes in the same village, are the ruins of the
Artavazik Church of the 7th century with a huge 13th-century khachkar monument directly across the ravine from the structure.
Architecture
Surp Hovhannes has two portals that lead into the building. The main entrance is from the side of the church, and has an inscription upon the lintel above the portal. Indications of the structure's age can be seen in the temple style steps leading up to S. Hovhannes and the
Maltese Cross
The Maltese cross is a cross symbol, consisting of four " V" or arrowhead shaped concave quadrilaterals converging at a central vertex at right angles, two tips pointing outward symmetrically.
It is a heraldic cross variant which developed f ...
es carved into the façade.
Khachkar
A ''khachkar'', also known as a ''khatchkar'' or Armenian cross-stone ( hy, խաչքար, , խաչ xačʿ "cross" + քար kʿar "stone") is a carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes, in ...
s and other decorative stones may be found around the premises.
Gallery
Image:Map of Amberd.gif, Road map of Byurakan and surrounding region.
Image:Byurakan S. Hovannes1.JPG, Front view
Image:Byurakan S. Hovannes3.JPG,
Image:Byurakan S. Hovannes4.JPG, View of the church bells and upper story windows
Image:Byurakan S. Hovhannes Rear2.JPG, Rear of the basilica with portal.
Image:Byurakan S. Hovhannes Interior.JPG, Interior of the basilica.
Image:Բյուրականի Ս. Հովհաննես եկեղեցի 21.JPG, Khachkar with twelve arms (below cross) representing the Twelve Apostles at the Last Supper
Image:Byurakan Khachkar.JPG, Unusual pillar style khachkar with a Maltese Cross located down the road from the church.
References
Bibliography
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External links
Armeniapedia.org: Byurakan Church
Christian monasteries in Armenia
Armenian Apostolic churches in Armenia
Tourist attractions in Aragatsotn Province
Buildings and structures in Aragatsotn Province
10th-century churches in Armenia
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