Book on Iran's Armenian churches published

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armen Haghnazarian, founding director of Research on Armenian Architecture (RAA) NGO published his book entitled “Three monasteries of Artaz”.

The book comprises the three most famous Armenian churches of Iran included in UNESCO’s list, namely Tsor Tsori church of the Holy Mother of God, St. Thaddeus and St. Stepanos monasteries.

RAA head, expert in monuments Samvel Karapetyan said an Islamic country like Iran is much caring about protection of all Armenian churches.

He particularly pointed out Tsor Tsori church of the Holy Mother of God which was moved to a nearby location by the government decree because a water reservoir was to be built there. “The government suspended reservoir construction for three months; during this period, all stones of the church were numbered one by one, and it was rebuilt in a safer place exactly the same way it used to be,” Karapetyan told a press conference.

He also noted that the church needed renovation, and it was restored the same way it looked before.

The book also contains some decipherings, most of which are published for the first time. It also includes a map locating the churches.

The book was published in 700 copies in Armenian language; translation into English is underway.