Surp Hovhannes Church (Byurakan)

Surb Hovhannes Church
275 px Basilica Church of S. Hovhannes at Byurakan
Shown within Armenia
Basic information
Location	Byurakan, Aragatsotn Province, Armenia
Geographic coordinates
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Architectural description
Architectural type	Basilica without dome
Architectural style	Armenian
Completed	10th century

Surp Hovhannes Church (Armenian: Սուրբ Հովհաննես եկեղեցի; translates to the "Church of Saint John") is an important 10th century basilica located in the village of Byurakan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. Not very far away from S. Hovhannes in the same village, are the ruins of the Artavazik Church of the 7th century with a huge 13th-century khachkar monument directly across the ravine from the structure.

Architecture

Surp Hovhannes has two portals that lead into the building. The main entrance is from the side of the church, and has an inscription upon the lintel above the portal. Indications of the structure's age can be seen in the temple style steps leading up to S. Hovhannes and the Maltese Crosses carved into the façade.

Khachkars and other decorative stones may be found around the premises.

Gallery

• 

  Road map of Byurakan and surrounding region.

• Byurakan S. Hovannes1.JPG

  Front view

• Byurakan S. Hovannes3.JPG
• Byurakan S. Hovannes4.JPG

  View of the church bells and upper story windows

• Byurakan S. Hovhannes Rear2.JPG

  Rear of the basilica with portal.

• Byurakan S. Hovhannes Interior.JPG

  Interior of the basilica.

• Բյուրականի Ս. Հովհաննես եկեղեցի 21.JPG

  Khachkar with twelve arms (below cross) representing the Twelve Apostles at the Last Supper

• Byurakan Khachkar.JPG

  Unusual pillar style khachkar with a Maltese Cross located down the road from the church.

References

Bibliography

• Brady Kiesling, Rediscovering Armenia, p. 15; original archived at Archive.org, and current version online on Armeniapedia.org.

External links

• Armeniapedia.org: Byurakan Church