Diocese of Artsakh

The Diocese of Artsakh is one of the largest dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Nagorno-Karabakh. 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. On 21 January 2022, Vrtanes Abrahamyan was appointed Primate of the Diocese.

WWW gandzasar.com/diocese-of-...

History

The diocese was established in 1989. Since its creation, archbishop Pargev Martirosyan has served as its primate.
All churches in Nagorno-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. With Armenian national identity on the rise in the Soviet Union, the Diocese of Artsakh was established in 1989. 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.
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. 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.
After the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, renewing the conflict in 2016, and later in 2020, by the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, in 2022, and later in 2023 by the Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, incidents led to various incidents of hatred and use of the force and ethnic cleansing against Armenians and damage, rewriting the history and destruction or conversion of Armenian cultural heritage by Armenian military forces. Churches of the Diocese of Artsakh were often occupied, damaged, or destroyed, or converted to "Caucasus Albanian" churches. After the war in 2020 there were around 400 holy sites in the area and some of them were desecrated or destroyed when Azerbaijan got the territory. European commission criticized Azerbaijan's policy of erasing and denying the Armenian cultural heritage and adopted the resolution 2022/2582. Conflict in 2023 lead to massive exodus of Armenians from the area.

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

Askeran region
* Holy Mother of God church, Askeran City, 2002
* Holy Mother of God church, Aygestan, 1850
* St. George church, Astghashen, 1898
* Holy Mother of God church, Dashushen, 1843
* St. John the Baptist church, Lusadzor, 19th century
* St. Stephen church, Khachen, 13th century
* Holy Mother of God church, Khnatsakh, 19th century
* Holy Mother of God church, Karmir Gyugh, 1841
* Holy Mother of God church, Madatashen, 19-20th centuries
* Holy Mother of God church, Nakhijevanik, 19th century
* St. Stephen church, Badara/Patara, 19th century
* St. George church, Sarnakhbyur, 1875
* "Phirumashen" church, Sarushen, 12-13th century
Martakert region
* Vankasar Church, near Martakert, 7th century
* Saint John the Baptist Church, Martakert City, 1881
* St. Anthony church, Zaglik, 2007
* St. Sarkis church, Harutyunagomer, 2005
* Saint George's Church, Mets Shen, 2011
* Church in the settlement of "Mandur", Mehmana, 12th–15th centuries
* Holy Mother of God church, Mehmana, 1229
* Holy Mother of God church, Nerkin Horatagh, 1904–1914
* St. George church, Nerkin Oratakh, 2012
* Holy Mother of God church, Vaghuhas, 2012
* St. George church, Haterk
* Holy Mother of God church, Tonashen, 19th century
Martuni region
*Church of St. Nerses the Great, Martuni, 2004
*Holy Mother of God church, Ashan, 1896
*Holy Mother of God church, Avdur, 1874
*Holy Mother of God church, Tsovategh, 19th century
*"Targmanchants vank" church, Kaghartsi, 19th century
*Holy Mother of God church, Kolkhozashen, 19th century
*Holy Mother of God church, Haghorti, 1751
*St. Gregory church, Chartar City, 19th century
*St. Vardan church, Chartar City, 2018
*Holy Mother of God church, Nngi, 1853
*Holy Mother of God church, Nngi, 1895
*St. Gregory the Illuminator, Nngi
*St. John the Baptist church, Norshen, 19th century
*Holy All-Savior church, Spitakashen, 13th century
Shahumyan region - most of churches is on the territory occupied by Azerbaijan
*St. Dadi church, 1178
*St. Nshan Katoghike church, 1174
*Domed small church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, 1211–1224
*Holy Mother of God church, 17th century
Shushi region
*St. Sarkis church, Yeghtsahogh, 2006
*St. Pantaleon church, Mets Shen, 1658
*Saint John the Baptist Church, Shusha, 1818, not operating, territory occupied by Azerbaijan
* Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral, Shusha, 1888, not operating, territory occupied by Azerbaijan
Stepanakert
*Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God, Stepanakert, 2019
*Saint Jacob Church, Stepanakert, 2007
Kashatagh region - territory occupied by Azerbaijan
Hadrut region - terriroty occupied by Azerbaijan
*Holy Resurrection Church, Hadrut, 1621, not operating, terriroty occupied by Azerbaijan
Other
* Church of the Holy Ascension, Lachin, 1998
* Church of the Holy Martyrs, Zabux, 2002
* Saint George's Church, Aşağı Oratağ, 2012
* Saint John the Baptist Church, Daşbaşı, 2013

Monasteries

Amaras Monastery, Sos, 4th-19th centuries
Tsitsernavank Monastery, Tsitsernavank, 5-6th centuries
"Metsaranits" monastery, called also "Hakobavank" monastery complex, Qolatak/Kolatak, Martakert region, 7-13th centuries
Gandzasar monastery complex, Vank, Martakert region, 10-13th centuries
"Dadivank" monastery complex, Dadivank, Shahumyan region, 12th-13th centuries
"Shoshkavank" monastery complex, Msmna, Martuni region, 16th century
"Gyulistani anapat" monastery complex, called also Monastery of the Holy All-Savior church, Tonashen, Martakert region, 17th century

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
Monastery of Tsar, Tsar, 1301
Yerits Mankants Monastery, Martakert Region, 1691

List of Churches and Monasteries

Below is list of churches, monasteries, and chapels under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Artsakh and their operating status from Askeran, Hadrut, Kashatagh, Martakert, Martuni, Shahumyan, Shushi regions and Stepanakert.

Kashatagh region

Name	Type	Image	Year	Location/geo	Status	Notes
Church of the Ascension	Church		1996-1998	Berdzor	Occupied
Church of Holy Martryrs	Church		2002	Aghavno	Occupied
Holy Mother of God church	Church		17th century	Hak, Aghbatkhert settlement	Occupied
"Mayreji vank" monastery complex	Monastery		11th-12th centuries	Aghbradzor	Occupied, Ruined
"Amutegh" church	Church		17th-18th centuries	Amutegh	Occupied
St. Vardan church	Church		17th century	Amutegh	Occupied
Andokaberd church	Church		11th-13th centuries	Andokaberd	Occupied
Church in the settlement of "Arakhish"	Church		12th-13th centuries	Arakhish	Occupied, Ruined
"Zorakhach" church	Church		16th-17th centuries	Arakhish	Occupied, Ruined
"Katosavank" monastery	Monastery		9th-11th centuries	Arvakan, Katos	Occupied, Ruined
Church in the old cemetery	Church		13th-17th centuries	Artashav	Occupied, Ruined
Ruined church, near the Barkushat fortress	Church		-	Barkushat, on the right bank of the Vorotan	Occupied, Ruined
"Qronq" monastery complex	Monastery		13th-14th centuries	Tsaghkaberd	Occupied
"Tsitsernavank" monastery complex	Monastery		4th-17th centuries	Tsitsernavank	Occupied
St. George church	Church		4th-5th century	Tsitsernavank	Occupied
"Tandzatap" church	Church		19th century	Keren	Occupied
Church in the cemetery of "Akbatkhert"	Church		13th-15th centuries	Hak	Occupied
Holy Mother of God church	Church		1419	Hak	Occupied
St. Minas church	Church		1675	Hak	Occupied
"Amutegh" church	Church		17th-18th centuries	Hakari	Occupied
St. Stephen church	Church		15th-16th centuries	Harar	Occupied, Ruined
St. George church	Church		17th century	Herik	Occupied
"Anapat" monastery complex	Monastery		12th-13th centuries	Hochants	Occupied
St. Stephen church	Church		17th century	Hochants	Occupied
"Chapkut" church	Church		1641	Chapkut	Occupied
"Mazra" church	Church		1694	Vanand	Occupied
"Zirik" church	Church		10th-14th centuries	Meliqashen	Occupied
Holy Mother of God church	Church		1682	Mirik	Occupied
"Varazgom" church	Church		9th-11th centuries	Moshatagh, Varazgom settlement	Occupied
Poghos-Petros church	Church		17th century	Shalua	Occupied
?	Church		17th century	Janbar	Occupied
Church in the cemetery	Church		9th-11th centuries	Sonasar	Occupied
Church in the fortress of "Spitakajur"	Church		9th-13th centuries	Spitakajur	Occupied
?	Church		15th-16th centuries	Vazgenashen	Occupied
?	Church		17th century	Vakunis	Occupied
"Mazra" church	Church		1694	Vanand	Occupied
Church in the settlement of "Jayrapor"	Church		14th-15th centuries	Tandzut	Occupied
"Tandzut" church	Church		late Middle Ages	Tandzut	Occupied
First "Stunis" church	Church		17th century	Tandzut	Occupied
Second "Stunis" church	Church		9th-11th centuries	Tandzut	Occupied
"Mknatami khach" monastery	Monastery		12th-13th centuries	Tandzut	Occupied
"Masrik" church	Church		1694	Qashuniq / Kashunik	Occupied

Martakert region

Name	Type	Image	Year	Location/geo	Status	Notes
Vankasar Church	Church		7th century	near Martakert,	Operating
St. John the Baptist church	Church		19th century	Martakert city	Operating
Holy Mother of God church	Church		1668	Arajadzor	Ruined
"Harva Jayrapor" church	Church		1249	Arajadzor	Ruined
Holy Mother of God church	Church		9th-11th centuries	Garnaqar, 3 km northwest of the village	Ruined
?	Church		11th-13th centuries	Garnaqar, 3 km northwest of the village	Ruined
"Hamami" church	Church		9th century	Garnaqar, 4 km west of the village	Ruined
St. John the Baptist church	Church		12th-13th centuries	Garnaqar	Ruined
"Red Stone" monastery complex	Monastery		11th-14th centuries	Getavan	Ruined
St. Anthony church	Church		2007	Zaglik	Operating
"Qrhonj" church	Church		17th century	Zardakhach	Ruined
Holy All-Savior church	Church		1894	Talish	Occupied
"Horeka vank" monastery complex	Monastery		XIII-XVIII 13th-18th century	Talish	Occupied
St. Stephen church	Church		1229	Talish	Occupied
"Mamkan" church	Church		12th-13th centuries	Talish	Occupied
Holy Mother of God church	Church		14th century	Kichan	Ruined
"Desert" monastery complex	Monastery		18th century	Kichan	Ruined
"Kichan" church	Church		12th-13th centuries	Kichan	Ruined
Church in the cemetery	Church		18th century	Kichan	Ruined
Church in the settlement of "Eri shen"	Church		16th-17th centuries	Kichan	Ruined
Church in the settlement of "Khorastan"	Church		9th-13th centuries	Kochoghot	Ruined
Church in the cemetery of "Khachin ser"	Church		11th-12th centuries	Kochoghot	Ruined
Church in the central cemetery	Church		11th-12th centuries	Kochoghot	Ruined
Holy Mother of God church	Church		19th century	Haterk	Recoverable
St. George church	Church		-	Haterk	Operating
St. John the Baptist church	Church		19th century	Haterk	Ruined
Church in the settlement of "Mandur"	Church		12th-13th centuries	Haterk	Ruined
"Mesis" monastery complex	Monastery		14th-17th centuries	Haterk	Ruined
St. Sarkis church	Church		2005	Harutyunagomer	Operating
St. George church	Church		1609	Chankatagh	Ruined
Church in the settlement of "Tsovategh"	Church		12th-13th centuries	Chankatagh	Ruined
St. George church	Church		1898	Mataghis	Occupied
St. Eghishe apostle monastery	Monastery		12th-13th centuries	Mataghis	Occupied
St. Eghishe church	Church		1892-1898	Mataghis	Occupied
St. Vanes church	Church		16th-17th centuries	Mataghis	Occupied
St. George church	Church		1901	Maghavuz	Recoverable
Church in the settlement of "Mayraqaghaq"	Church		10th-13th centuries	Maghavuz, settlement Mayraqaghaq	Ruined
St. George church	Church		2011	Mets Shen	Operating
Church in the South cemetery	Church		11th-13th centuries	Mets Shen	Ruined
"Jraberd's desert" monastery complex	Monastery		17th century	Mets Shen	Ruined
Holy Mother of God church	Church		1229	Mehmana	Occupied
Church in the settlement of "Mandur"	Church		12th-15th centuries	Mehmana, settlement of "Mandur"	Ruined
Holy Mother of God church	Church		1883	Mokhratagh	Recoverable
Church of the Nine Relics,	Church		rebuilt in 1881	Mokhratagh	Ruined
Holy Mother of God church	Church		1904-1914	Nerkin Horatagh	Operating
St. George church	Church		2012	Nerkin Horatagh	Operating
Church	Church		6th-7th centuries	Nor Karmiravan	Occupied
Church in "Gyavur ghala"	Church		3th-9th centuries	Nor Haykajur	Ruined
Vankasar's church	Church		1st-7th centuries	Nor Maragha	Occupied
St. Stephen church	Church		12th-13th centuries	Shakhmasur	Ruined
Church	Church		16th-17th centuries	Shakhmasur, settlement of "Qaren glukh"	Ruined
Church in the	Church		17th century	Chapar, settlement of "Shenateghi eghtsi"	Ruined
"Surben dyuz" church 1	Church		12th-13th centuries	Chapar	Ruined
"Surben dyuz" church 2	Church		12th-13th centuries	Chapar	Ruined
"Hin Chapar" church	Church		16th century	Chapar	Ruined
Church	Church		12th-14th centuries	Chldran, settlement of "Eghtsateghi tumb"	Ruined
"Karmir eghtsi" church	Church		16th-17th centuries	Chldran	Ruined
"Nahatak" church	Church		13th-20th centuries	Chldran	Ruined
Monastery of the Holy All-Savior	Monastery		12th-13th centuries	Poghosagomer	Ruined
Holy Mother of God church	Church		2012	Vaghuhas,	Operating
"Eghtsu ktor" church	Church		13th century	Vaghuhas	Ruined
Church in the settlement of "Tleni"	Church		9th-13th centuries	Vaghuhas, settlement of "Tleni"	Ruined
Khadar monastery complex	Monastery		10th-17th centuries	Vaghuhas	Ruined
"Karmir vank" monastery complex	Monastery		1224, 1529, 1281	Vaghuhas,	Ruined
"Mayraqaghaq" monastery complex	Monastery		1183	Vaghuhas	Ruined
"Shmaghbyur" church	Church		9th century	Vaghuhas	Ruined
"Vardani gomer" monastery complex	Monastery		1225	Vaghuhas	Ruined
Gandzasar monastery complex	Monastery		949	Vank	Occupied
Havaptuk monastery complex	Monastery		1163	Vank	Ruined
"Paravadzori vank" monastery comlex	Monastery		12th-13th centuries	Vank	Ruined
St. Joseph church	Church		12th-13th centuries	Vardadzor	Ruined
"Harutyunagomer" church	Church		12th-13th centuries	Vardadzor	Ruined
Katoghikosasar monastery	Monastery		6th century	Varnkatagh	Ruined
Church	Church		11th-13th centuries	Varnkatagh, "Poqr Toghkasar" settlement	Ruined

Martuni region

Name	Type	Image	Year	Location/geo	Status	Notes
Church of St. Nerses the Great	Church		2004	Martuni	Operating

Shushi region

Name	Type	Image	Year	Location/geo	Status	Notes
Holy Mother of God church or "Aguletsots"	Church		1822	Shushi city	Occupied
Holy All-Savior church or "Meghretsots"	Church		1833	Shushi city	Occupied
Holy All-Savior church or "Ghazanchetsots"	Church		1858-1887	Shushi city	Occupied	Damaged between 2020-10-25 and 2021-04-10
Holy All-Savior church or "Kharabakhtsots"	Church		18th-19th centuries	Shushi city	Occupied
«St. John the Baptist» church or "Kanach jam"	Church		1818	Shushi city	Occupied

Stepanakert

Name	Type	Image	Year	Location/geo	Status	Notes
Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God	Cathedral		2019	Stepanakert city	Operating
St. Jacob church	Church		2007	Stepanakert city	Operating