Armenia, Travels and Studies (Volume 1 of 2): The Russian ProvincesLynch, H. F. B. (Harry Finnis Blosse)
History
Armenia, Travels and Studies (Volume 1 of 2): The Russian Provinces
Lynch, H. F. B. (Harry Finnis Blosse)
Armenia
The third and smallest of the churches marks the site of the
wine-press, where the holy martyrs sojourned and where St. Gregory
resided after his release from the pit at Artaxata. It is situated
to the north-east of Edgmiatsin and to the west of St. Ripsime. It
bears the name of Shoghakath, or Effusion of Light. I was informed
that the attendants of Saints Ripsime and Gaiane were buried in
a vault on the south side of the apse. [173] In disposition the
building resembles St. Gaiane; but it is much longer (58 feet 2
inches) in comparison with its breadth (24 feet 8 inches). We learn
from an inscription over the door of the church that the portal was
added by the Katholikos Nahapet in A.D. 1693. The belfry is due to
the same pontiff; [174] his grave is conspicuous within the portal
(Fig. 60 and plan). The dome rests on four massive piers attached
to the wall. The joints of the pink and grey stone are visible in
the interior, as in the case of the two buildings described; and so
admirably are they fitted that one would regret the introduction
of any internal decoration. A scrutiny of the exterior reveals
the fact that the church has been most carefully restored, stones
having been removed here and there and replaced. Brosset informs
us that mention is made in certain records of Armenian Councils
of the construction by Nerses III. (A.D. 640-649) in the town of
Vagharshapat of a church of Shoghakath; but he supposes--it would
appear upon inconclusive evidence--that this name is intended to
designate the cathedral, Edgmiatsin. [175] If it be taken to refer
to the wine-press chapel, then all three edifices will have been
rebuilt in the seventh century by the testimony of records. I
may add that according to an inscription in the monastery of
Uch Kilisa, near Diadin, that cloister was also restored in the
seventh century. [176] If the buildings as we now see them were
erected in that century, the framework at least of Edgmiatsin
must be attributed to an earlier date.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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