User:Yerevantsi/sandbox/Aghtamar

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Աղթամարի Սուրբ Խաչ եկեղեցի, Aght’amari Surb Khach yekeghetsi; Surp Haç Kilisesi) or the Cathedral of Aghtamar (Աղթամարի վանք, Aght’amari vank’; Akdamar Kilisesi "Akdamar Church") is a 10th century Armenian Apostolic cathedral on Akdamar (Aghtamar) Island, in Lake Van in eastern Turkey. It was built as a palatine church for the kings of Vaspurakan and later serving as the seat of the Catholicosate of Aghtamar.

Foundation
Date: 915-921 Evidence For Date: Chronicle of Thomas Artzruni

Aght'amar was built by the architect Manuel between 915 and 921.

Architecture
The church is architecturally classified as Hripsime-type. It is based on a form that had been developed in Armenia several centuries earlier, the best-known example of which is the 7th century Saint Hripsime Church in Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin).

Architecturally, the church of Aght'amar is a tetraconch with four wide axial exedrae. At the four corners of the square bay under the dome are cylindrical niches. Inside the east niches are the entrances of the vestries. Although the west niches have neither vestries nor entrances, the three-quarter circular areas enclosed within these niches are reminiscent of those found in the early medieval Awan-Hrip'sime type of church.

The entire structure is designed as a centrally planned and domed cruciform church based on buildings of the type of Hrip'sime.

According to an inscription of the south facade, the original crown on the dome had collapsed, and was later constructed in the 13th century. The front staircase was demolished in the 19th century when the bell tower was constructed in front of the south portal.

Reliefs
The church is well-known for its extensive array of bas-relief carving of mostly biblical scenes that adorn its external walls. The meanings of these reliefs have been the subject of much and varied interpretation.

Restoration
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6505927.stm

Renewed religious life
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=first-cermon-in-surp-hac-after-95-years-2010-09-19

http://armenianweekly.com/2010/09/30/detailed-report-the-mass-in-akhtamar-and-what%E2%80%99s-next/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11366201

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-europe-11362391

http://www.azatutyun.am/a/2162113.html

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/61973

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11362391

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-church-armenians-idUSTRE68I0PQ20100919

http://www.arfd.info/2010/08/10/attending-church-services-in-akhtamar-will-contribute-to-turkish-provocation-arf-d-leader-says/

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703556604575501941448923782

http://www.rferl.org/content/armenian_mass_turkey_church_of_the_holy_cross/24326333.html

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/armenian-church-on-akdamar-island-hosts-first-baptism-in-98-years.aspx?pageID=238&nID=54047

I illustrated this process with the example of the renovation and opening of the Armenian Akhtamar Church, which became a showcase for Turkey’s self-promotion as a tolerant nation. A closer examination of this church opening through a media analysis revealed how this church opening becomes an instrument of the government to ward off international pressure to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to reassure the world that Turkey is tolerant towards its religious minorities

http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/kfgeu/kfgwp/wpseries/WorkingPaperKFG_41.pdf

Regardless of Erdoğan’s manipulation of the Armenian issue for political purposes, there are other manifestations of a new openness within Turkey. Some Armenian churches that survived outright destruction and decades of neglect are being restored and a few have reopened for services.

http://www.brookings.edu/research/articles/2015/02/armenia-turkey-normalization-reconciliation#fn4