Nor Varagavank
| Nor Varagavank Նոր Վարագավանք |
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Nor Varagavank
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Near Varagavan, Tavush Province, Armenia
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| Geographic coordinates | 40°55′30″N 45°12′06″E / 40.925°N 45.2018°ECoordinates: 40°55′30″N 45°12′06″E / 40.925°N 45.2018°E |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Country | Armenia |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural style | Armenian |
| Completed | 12th-14th centuries |
Nor Varagavank (Armenian: Նոր Վարագավանք) is a 13th-century Armenian Apostolic Church monastic ensemble situated 3.5 km southwest of the village Varagavan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The monastery is situated upon a high hill and is surrounded by forested mountains and picturesque ravines.
The monastic complex was established by King David II Kyurikian of northern Armenia in 1193-1198 and expanded by his grandson Vasak II in 1234-1237. The Kyurikians were a junior branch of Armenia’s aristocratic Bagratuni family, whose domain, known as the Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget, spanned medieval Armenia’s provinces of Gugark, Artsakh and Utik. The monastery was center of a bishopric, and played an important role in the ecclesiastical life of medieval Armenia. The monastery also served as Kyurikian’s family burial vault and mausoleum.
In early sources the monastic ensemble was called Anapat (hermitage). It was renamed Nor Varagavank (meaning “New Varagavank”) when Vaspurakan's famed Varagavank monastery in Western Armenia near the Lake Van was threatened by the Mongols. Varagavank’s Patriarch Ghukas brought to Anapat holy relics from Vaspurakan in 1213, such as a piece of the True Cross brought to Armenia by the holy virgins Rhipsime and Gayane.
Тhe most important structure of the complex is the church of the Holy Virgin. According to the inscriptions on its walls and information provided by the Armenian 13th century historian Kirakos Gandzaketsi, it was built in 1224-1237 by David's grandson Vasak II Kyurikian, and was consecrated in 1240. The church of the Holy Virgin was designed by the architect Gazan who came from the Armenian capital city of Ani. The church is rectangular from the outside (10.25 m x 15.40 m) and cruciform from the inside. The church has two entrances. The western entrance differs by its magnificent reliefs carved on multi-colored stones of the walls.
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