Categories: World

The Surb Astvatsatsin Chapel – Dzordzor Monastery, Iran

An Armenian monastery of the 7th century Dzordzor (Ծոր Ծորի) is located in the territory of modern Iran in the province of Artaz. The Dzordzor chapel has been at its peak during the 14th-17th centuries when Shah Abbas forcibly moved Armenians to the center of Iran.

The Surb Astvatsatsin chapel is the only surviving structure of the monastery. It was built in the 9th-10th centuries (according to some sources, in the 14th century).

In 1987-1988, the old chapel was replaced by a new one, which was built 600 meters away from the original building. That was due to the beginning of the construction of the dam on the Makukai River.

On July 6, 2008, along with the monasteries of Surb Stepanos and Surb Tadevos, Dzordzor was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in the section “Armenian Churches of Iran”.

• The old Surb Astvatsatsin chapel.
• The new chapel of Surb Astvatsatsin Monastery.
• Entrance to the new chapel of St. Astvatsatsin.
Vigen Avetisyan

Recent Posts

A Hand Reaching Through Three Millennia: The Bronze Pendant from Yeghvard

Pendant (Amulet) in the Shape of a Human Hand | 7th–6th centuries BC | Yeghvard…

4 days ago

Duduk (Tsiranapogh): The Ancient Voice of Armenia from the Bronze Age to UNESCO Heritage

Introduction The duduk (Armenian: դուդուկ)—traditionally known as tsiranapogh (ծիրանափող, “apricot-wood pipe”)—is one of the most…

1 week ago

The Earliest Known Mention of Yerevan in Armenian Epigraphy: The 874 Inscription of Sevanavank

Perched on the rocky peninsula of Lake Sevan, the medieval monastery of Sevanavank preserves one…

2 weeks ago

The Land of Kajants: Language, Kings, and Gods

Reconsidering the Language and Sacred Heritage of Urartu in Armenian Historical Thought For more than…

4 weeks ago

Hayasa-Azzi: A Powerful Armenian Kingdom of the Armenian Highlands

Among the earliest known states of the Armenian Highlands, few are as historically important as…

1 month ago

The Frescoes of Dadivank Monastery and the Misinterpretation of Heritage

The medieval monastery of Dadivank is one of the most important spiritual and artistic centers…

1 month ago