Saint Mesrop Armenian Church

Saint Mesrop Armenian Church

Arak

Saint Mesrop Armenian Church

11
Few Clouds

In an old Armenian district of Arak, at the end of Dr. Nisanian (Chamran) street, there is a building named Saint Mesrop Armenian Church; This church is usually open in Saturdays for prayer and during the Armenian holidays and ceremonies. In addition to those Armenian who go there for prayer, it is also open to the public visit. 

Saint Mesrop Armenian Church includes four parts: school, conference hall, the priest house and the main building. You enter a large courtyard at arrival; the building of the church is placed on the left side and a large cross, above the martyrs’ graves, has been installed on the left side; It is the memorial of Armenian martyrs who were killed during the imposed war. 

The first thing we can see in the main building of the church is the picture of Saint Mary and her son, Jesus Christ, alongside a cross above them, inside the alter; A porch-like alter which is constructed inside a plain and large arch, standing almost one meter upper than the floor. 

Like many other churches, the rectangular church of Saint Masrop embraces two side rooms and a public section.  

There are some places provided for baptism and lighting candle in the main space of the conference hall of the church, which is usually used during Armenian religious ceremonies. There are several skylights on four sides of the building including some colorful glasses. The church has two entrances, on southern and western sides. The bell tower is placed in front of the western entrance. Also, this bell rings during the national ceremonies, like the Fajr decade. 

The roof is dome-like with some arches which are connected together and to the side walls. This building is leaning on four octagonal columns. It is also interesting to know that, they used some wood timbers inside the walls in order to increase their durability. 

The external façade of the church has been decorated in tera cotta. This Qajar building has been erected by those Armenian who could afford in that period of time. The Armenian inscription on the stone relief above the entrance of the church indicates that this building was built in 1914 AD by the Kazaz, Kamareh, Haft Japelaq and Bur Armenians.


Add new comment