Medieval History
A major section of a 14th century Armenian church in Tbilisi, Georgia, collapsed Wednesday evening, after years of neglect by the authorities to repair the historic structure, reported the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church on Thursday.
The St. Gevorg of Mughni Church, built in 1356, had been entirely rebuilt in 1756. It is made of brick and its architectural typology is that of a cross within a rectangular perimeter, with four free-standing supports. The church had been closed for years, owing to the structures deteriorating condition. Locals say the recent rains further exacerbated the damage to the church.
The medieval church had been operating as a museum of folk art until the mid-1980s. By 1990 it was no longer a museum and its interior lay in ruin. The vestibule attached to the western facade of the church was destroyed in May, 1991.
?The Georgian Ministry of Culture, Monuments Protection and Sports should bear the responsibility,? the Diocese said in a statement Thursday. ?All this creates an impression that by failing to solve the issue of returning the churches to the Armenian Diocese, the Georgian Patriarchate and authorities do not pay proper attention to the preservation of Armenian churches, and intentionally destroy important monuments of Armenian culture.?
Georgian authorities had pointed to large cracks in the church?s walls as an excuse to demolish the church instead of repair it. The district governor in Tbilisi Thursday promised to allocate funds for reconstruction of the church.
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Medieval History
Medieval Armenian church collapses
A major section of a 14th century Armenian church in Tbilisi, Georgia, collapsed Wednesday evening, after years of neglect by the authorities to repair the historic structure, reported the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church on Thursday.
The St. Gevorg of Mughni Church, built in 1356, had been entirely rebuilt in 1756. It is made of brick and its architectural typology is that of a cross within a rectangular perimeter, with four free-standing supports. The church had been closed for years, owing to the structures deteriorating condition. Locals say the recent rains further exacerbated the damage to the church.
The medieval church had been operating as a museum of folk art until the mid-1980s. By 1990 it was no longer a museum and its interior lay in ruin. The vestibule attached to the western facade of the church was destroyed in May, 1991.
?The Georgian Ministry of Culture, Monuments Protection and Sports should bear the responsibility,? the Diocese said in a statement Thursday. ?All this creates an impression that by failing to solve the issue of returning the churches to the Armenian Diocese, the Georgian Patriarchate and authorities do not pay proper attention to the preservation of Armenian churches, and intentionally destroy important monuments of Armenian culture.?
Georgian authorities had pointed to large cracks in the church?s walls as an excuse to demolish the church instead of repair it. The district governor in Tbilisi Thursday promised to allocate funds for reconstruction of the church.
- Community Project Shows Possibilities For Medieval Norwich Church
A prototype project at St Laurence?s Church, in St Benedict?s Street, was launched on Saturday in an effort to explore new ways to use the 15th-century church. The Common Room project temporarily transformed the church into a type of community space in...
- Debt Fears Over Medieval St Mary's Church, Rhuddlan
There are fears for the future of a 700-year-old Denbighshire church, a year after a £120,000 refurbishment. St Mary's Church in Rhuddlan owes £13,500 to the diocese of St Asaph, and the debt is expected to rise to at least £20,000. Priest-in-charge,...
- Medieval Armenian Cemetery Renovated In Turkey
A historical Armenian cemetery dating back to 1061 A.D. and measuring hundreds of acres in the eastern province of Sivas has been jointly renovated by the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey, the local municipality and the provincial governor?s office. A...
- Canadian Society For Syriac Studies
Canadian Society for Syriac Studies University of Toronto Annual Symposium IX The Armenian and Syriac Symbiosis Saturday November 14, 2009 Universityof Toronto: Earth Sciences Centre 5 Bancroft AvenueRoom 142 9:00?9:30 Annual General Meeting? For members...
- Armenian Illuminations
I recently watched a lecture on Armenian churches by professor William R. Cook, and am fairly obsessed with Armenian art and architecture! It is breathtaking...Malnazar, Armenian, active about 1630s, and Aghap'ir, Canon Table Page, 1637-38. J. Paul...