Draft:Teghenyats Monastery

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Tegehnyats monastery, a monastic complex in the historical Nig province (currently located in the northeastern part of Buzhakan village in Kotayk province), on the slope of Teghenis mountain, in a clearing surrounded by

Teghenyats Monastery
Basic details
Location	Buzhakan, Kotayk Province, Armenia
Country	Armenia
Denomination	Armenian Apostolic church
Religious institute	monastery
History
Founded	6-7th centuries
Architecture
Functional status	defunct
Architectural type	Armenian architecture
Specifications
Materials	Tuff
Administration
Diocese	Kotayk

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Architectural structures

The primary architectural structures at the ancient site include a small cruciform church with a central dome dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, dating back to the 6th–7th centuries, with significant portions discovered during excavations. The central dome Kathoghike ցhurch is situated approximately 30 meters east of this structure. The church was constructed in the first half of the 11th century. The main characterization of Kathoghike church is its domed hall with double masonry walls, adorned with Armenian niches on the facades. The facade of the Senior Tabernacle is distinguished by its beauty, featuring bas-reliefs adorned with geometrical, botanical, and zoological motifs. The artistic significance lies in the bas-relief of a peacock carved on the central slab, depicting an open tail, partially spread wings, and the head turned to the right. The image is in a multi-band circle. In 1207, prince Vahram Chavush built a four-column, pyramid-shaped vestibule next to the ‘’Kathoghike’’church, the combination of black and red tuff in its composition introduced multicolor inside. Adjacent to the ‘’Kathoghike’’ church to the south is the library, featuring four pen cells on its east side, and to the north of the vestibule stands a forty-column building, which is believed to have served as matenadaran (library and repository of manuscripts). On the northwestern side of the monastic complex, there stands a separate structure, the northern wall of the rectangular vaulted refectory (13th century). The cemetery of the monastery is situated on the western side of the complex. In 1827, Teghenyats Monastery was entirely devastated by an earthquake. In 1979, excavations led by archaeologist Gagik Sargsyan commenced and continued for several years, revealing the buried ‘’Kathoghike’’church, the scriptorium, the matenadaran, and the small church.

Definition of contemporaries

During the 13th and 14th centuries Teghenyats Monastery was renowned. Gevorg Skevratsi wrote about the monastery in 1267, referring to it as "the famous pious God-dwelling holy congregation of Teghenis." Mkrtich Rabuni (13th to 14th centuries) also referred to it as "my most famous holy congregation."

Activity

The Teghenyats Monastery was first mentioned in the early 8th century, specifically in 727-728, in relation to Vahan Goghtnatsi seeking refuge there. From the 11th to the 14th centuries, the monastery served as an educational and literary hub. Building upon the time regulations of the Armenian Church preserved in the Tegheniats and Makenyats monasteries, Catholicos Nerses Shnorali (Nerses IV the Gracious) developed a unified system for Armenian monasteries and churches in 1166.

In 1205, in the city of Lori, and in 1207, in the city of Ani, Zakare II Zakarian, the prince of Zakarid Armenia, invited the religious councils convened by the Tegenyats Monastery's leader, Abbot Turkik. Historian Kirakos Gandzaketsi wrote that during Abbot Turkik's tenure, the monastery community practiced a form of communal living, adhering to the principle of "to be common in everything and receive nothing separately." Throughout the 13th century, several historians and scholars were associated with the monastery, including Kirakos Gtstsakerp the Sage (10th century) the friend of Stepanos Taronetsi Asoghik, Vardapet the Monk (1246), Vardan Areveltsi with his disciple Gevorg Skevratsi (1267), and (12th–13th centuries). Noteworthy abbots of the monastery included Hermit Yeremia (10th century), the Monk Turkik (early 13th century), Mkhitar the Monk (first half of the 13th century), Grigor the Monk Bjnetsi (late 13th century), and Hakob the Monk (first half of the 14th century). Many scribes worked at the monastery, and their manuscripts have been preserved. The Gospel copied by Nahapet, Shmavon, and David is housed in the British Museum in London, while others are kept in the Matenadaran Institute named after Mesrop Mashtots in Yerevan. The poet Terter Yerevantsi (14th century) studied at the University of Tegenyats Monastery. In 1211, the first inscription of the patrons of the Ararat Faction, established in the early 13th century, was inscribed on the Vasakashen vestibule by Princess Mamakhatun, Hasan's daughter, the wife of the faction leader, Prince Vache A. Kurd A Vachutyan, and his wife Princess Khorishah, architect Vetsik, Hovhannes Khachentsi, Kurd, son of Smbat, and his wife ‘’Tiknats tikin’’ among others. Their donation inscriptions can still be found on the vestibule walls. People from various regions of Armenia settled and contributed to the monastery. Priest Vardan from the province of Kesaria (+1210), Hovhannes son of ‘’Erkat’’, religious Loretsi, and Priest Gorg Varagetsi are buried in the monastery's cemetery. Additionally, a secular individual is interred here. There is an inscription on his tombstone, "ZPatrick, the sinful servant of Christ, remember Christ in the worldly order."

The Archaeological Description

Location: Situated in a clearing surrounded by a forest, the monastery is located 200 meters north of the main group of monuments. Within the forest, there is a cemetery, and another cemetery with animal-shaped tombstones and remnants of a settlement lies 50 meters southwest of the complex.

Stratigraphy: Tegenyats Monastery is renowned as one of the prominent spiritual and educational centers of medieval Armenia. Historical chronicles trace its origins back to the 8th century, specifically to the 20s, when Prince Vahan Goghteci sought sanctuary in the monastery from pursuit by an Arab policeman. The earliest architectural structure within the monastery complex dates to the 7th century, comprising a four-bay, small cross-shaped church, the foundation walls of which have been fully revealed through excavations. The zenith of the monastery's development occurred during the 12th–13th centuries, characterized by the construction of key edifices, expansion of the congregation, and establishment of ancillary facilities. The monastery's history from the 13th to the 14th centuries intertwines with that of the Vachutian dynasty. During this period, the monastery housed a prestigious spiritual academy where notable educators and scholars of the Middle Ages imparted knowledge. While written records do not mention the monastery beyond the mid-20th century, archaeological findings from the late medieval period provide evidence of its continued activity. Portions of the monument group's structures, unearthed through excavations, underwent partial stabilization and restoration between 2010 and 2015.

Detailed Description of the Monastic Structures:

The complex comprises several integral components, including a Khatoghike Church, vestibule, "second vestibule," library (matenadaran), refectory, and other auxiliary buildings. Situated 30 meters east of the main ensemble of monuments is the 7th-century four-sided church.

The Kathogike Church is characterized by its domed hall architecture, featuring a pair of symmetrically arranged vestibules flanking the main sanctuary. The primary entrance leads into the vestibule. Notably, the Kathoghike Church's adornment includes a meticulously crafted altar stage composed of six distinct slabs adorned with various motifs. Among these, the bas-relief of a peacock is particularly striking. This sculptural element, depicting a peacock—a symbol of immortality—is a rare and exceptional feature in Armenian sculptural art, although commonly found in Armenian miniatures.

The Gratun is a rectangular, column-free structure with a vaulted ceiling, situated adjacent to the Khatoghike Church on its southern side. It comprises four chambers divided by partitions on the eastern side, and a separate rectangular room on the southwestern side. The primary entrance, adorned with a prominent porch, is located on the southern facade. Another entrance on the northern side connects it to the Khatoghike Church, while the inner entrance on the northwestern side opens into the vestibule.

Constructed in 1207 with the assistance of Vahram Chavush, the courtyard is positioned to the west of the Khatoghike Church. It features a spacious central hall supported by four columns and adorned with a vaulted ceiling. The central square is surmounted by a dome embellished with intricate craftsmanship. The corners of the octagonal dome base are adorned with amethyst decorations, while the walls exhibit a checkerboard pattern created with two-colored stones. Sculptural strips, resembling woven chains, encircle the base of the dome. Access to the courtyard is granted through a rectangular-framed entrance on the west side. The facade is distinguished by a radial arrangement of black and gray-yellow tuff stones, adding visual interest to the otherwise plain surfaces of the vestibule walls. The utilization of two-colored stones serves to enliven both the interior and exterior planes of the vestibule, creating a dynamic architectural aesthetic.

The "second vestibule" was excavated next to the northern wall of the first vestibule. It repeats the composition of the first in terms of layout and dimensions. Perhaps, it was the study hall or library of the monastery. Lately, it was reconstructed, becoming a building serving economic purposes. To the east of the "second vestibule" a large residential-economic room was opened with a fireplace with an arrow-shaped top on the northeast side.

The dining room (seghanatun) is on the northwest side of the complex. It is a rectangular elongated walled building, of which the northern facade has been preserved, in other parts the foundation walls have been opened by excavations. The structural parts of the table house - corners, columns, arches - are built with hewn basalt stones, and the walls between the arches are lined with rough small and medium stones. It has two entrances, on the southeast and northeast sides. On the south side of the table house, residential and economic rooms with rich archaeological material were opened by excavations.

Findings: Architectural details, fragments of khachkars, about 40 lithographs, pottery, glass and metal finds.

Meaning

Tegenyats monastery was a famous center of education and writing. It is also important in the history of the Armenian Church. In the 12th century, the rules of the monastery liturgy became the basis for the creation of a new timetable by Catholicos Nerses.

Traditional conversations

The name of Teghnyats monastery originates from the name of the Elm tree (Armenian: թեղի, romanized: teghi).