Ashot Manucharyan - Episcopal diocese of Vanand (IV–VIII centuries)
9 Pages | 40-49 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2024.1-40 | Revceived on: 2023-04-20 | Reviewed on: 2023-05-19 | Accepted for printing on: 2024-03-22
Published in: 2024 N 1 (225) / History
The episcopacy of Vanand was one of the ancient 12/13 dioceses of Armenia, which were confirmed by St. Gregory the Illuminator at the beginning of the 4th century. Some time later, with the second diocesan branch of St. Gregory the Illuminator, it became the 15th among the 30 (36) major dioceses of Armenia, occupying a central place. The episcopacy of Vanand played a decisive role in the national church affairs of the country in the early Middle Ages.
Keywordsepiscopacy diocese Vanand ancient main central place Middle Ages national church Catholicos.
Ashot Manucharyan - Episcopal Diocese of Arsharunik (the 4th–the 9th cc.)
15 Pages | 187-202 | Revceived on: 2021-05-14 | Reviewed on: 2021-05-31 | Accepted for printing on: 2021-06-23
Published in: 2021 N 3 (218) / Articles, reports
The Diocese of Arsharunik is one of the oldest dioceses in Armenia, formed by St. Gregory the Illuminator in the second diocesan department. In the middle of the 4th century, during the reign of Catholicos St. Nerses the Great, it was annexed to the bishopric of Bagrevand. It became the main episcopate of the country when Catholicos St. Sahak Partev returning from Persia in 432 AD, settled in the province of Bagrevand. The famous bishops of Bagrevand during this period were the 5th century philosopher Yeznik Koghbatsi and the patriarch of the Armenian historiography Movses Khorenatsi.
Keywordsbishopric Catholicos throne spiritual center diocese inscription cathedral commemorative inscription historiographic theological.
Ashot Manucharyan - Arevik branch of the Syunik thronal princes
6 Pages | 193-199 | DOI: DOI: 10.54503/0135-0536-2025.3-193 | Revceived on: 2025-11-05 | Reviewed on: 2025-11-11 | Accepted for printing on: 2025-11-17
Published in: 2025 N 3 (230) / Archaeology
In the result of the conducted research, we added the sixth branch to the five ones of the ruling royal princes of Syunik – branch of princes of the province of Arevik. The basis for this was the inscription on the khachkar installed in the southern corner of the eastern wall of the Church of St. Stepanos in the village of Vank restored in 1554, Meghri region. This inscription, dated 902, mentions “Lord Smbat”. According to the research and purchase contracts of the Tatev Monastery for the period from 839 to 891, the title of “Lord” was borne by diocesan bishops and throne princes. The same Smbat is mentioned on the khachkar, dated 911, which was erected in the rural area of Lichkvaz in the region of Meghri.
Keywords Syunik Arevik Meghri throne prince church khachkar inscription