From a political, economic and cultural point of view, the 1930s were a turning point in the history of the Soviet Armenia: socialist construction marked an unprecedented rise, which caused new problems in the preservation of ancient monuments and architectural constructions of cultural value. The soviet authorities showed emphasized intolerance, first, to the spiritual institutions; many churches of cultural value were demolished or turned into collective farm warehouses, hayfields, etc.

KeywordsAshkharbek Kalantar Soviet Armenia socialist construction committee for preservation of antiquities protection of monuments research confrontation coverage.

Sotk village is located in the south-east of Gegharkunik province of the Republic of Armenia. According to Stepanos Orbelyan, the name of the settlement originates from the name of the cold wind blowing from the mountain pass to Sevan. The Armenian identity of medieval Sotk is evidenced not only by about two dozen Armenian medieval written sources, but also by historical monuments in the vicinity of the village – churches, khachkars, Armenian inscriptions. The church of Sotk belonged to the Diocese of the Makenyats Monastery of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which was one of the oldest orders of the Armenian Church.

KeywordsSotk Middle Ages culture Christianity monuments excavations fortress church khachkar inscription princely family.