Surb-Karabet-Kloster (Muş)

Vorlage:Infobox religious building The Saint Karapet Monastery (Vorlage:Lang-hy, or Surb Karapet Vank; also known as the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist and Glakavank or the Monastery of Glak) was an Armenian monastic complex in the Taron Province of Greater Armenia, about 35 kilometers northwest of Mush, now in the Kurdish village of Chengeli in eastern Turkey. Founded in the fourth century by Gregory the Illuminator, it was one of the oldest monasteries in Armenia. The monastery was a stronghold of the Mamikonians (the princely house of Taron) who were the holy warriors of Saint Karapet (John the Baptist), their patron saint.

Saint Karapet Monastery was also one of the three most important sites for Armenian Christian pilgrimage, and among the richest, most ancient institutions in Ottoman Armenia, until it was destroyed to its foundations by Turks after the Armenian Genocide.

Location

The monastery was located on the northern border range of the Mush plain, at an elevation of 6,400 feet, or of 2,200 feet above the trough of the plain.

History

Foundation

The monastery of Surb Karapet was founded by Gregory the Illuminator, who came to Taron to spread Christianity in the area after his famous conversion of King Trdat III. At that time, on the site of the cloister were two heathen temples that were an object of special reverence by a colony of Hindu refugees who were under the sovereignty of the Armenian kings. They worshipped two idols, which were made of brass, with colossal proportions, and were known by the names Demeter and Kisane. The Hindu warriors with their Armenian allies were defeated in two battles by the army of Gregory the Illuminator, and their sanctuaties were razed to the ground. In its place Gregory the Illuminator erected a Christian church, and the body of Saint John the Baptist, which was moved from Caesarea, took the place of Demeter and Kisane.

Middle ages

In the Middle Ages, the monastery Surb Karapet was not only one of the most revered places of the Armenians, but also a rich agricultural center of the region. It also possessed an extensive library, and was one of the centers of education.

Modern period

In the second half of the 19th century, when the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire struggled for independence, the monastery published the "Eagle of Taron" newspaper by Khrimyan Hayrik, the future Catholicos of all Armenians.

In the book "The Call of plowmen", Khachik Dashtents describes a winter scene in the monastery.

On November 29, 1893, H. F. B. Lynch visited Surb Karapet Monastery and later wrote an account of it (along with photographs) in his book Armenia: Travels and Studies first published in 1901.

Current state

Today the wealth and livelihood of the monastery has disappeared. After the destruction of the Armenians in the Armenian Genocide, Surb Karapet ceased to exist not only as a spiritual center, but also as an architectural monument. The monastery was blown up by the Turkish army under the Turkish government's policy of cultural genocide of Armenia monuments in Turkey.Vorlage:Citation needed

Today what remains of the Monastery Surb Karapet is only a few shapeless ruins, and many carved stones and khachkars which have been used as building materials by the local residents and are often found in the walls of homes and structures.

Complex

Fortress of the Surb Karapet Monastery, c. 1915

As shown in the photos of H. F. B. Lynch from the beginning of twentieth century and published in the book "Armenia. Travel Essays and Studies", the monastery was surrounded by strong walls and was like a fortress. On the eastern side of the main cathedral of the monastery were two chapels with polygonal towers and conical roofs, probably more ancient than the main church. The latest construction in the architectural ensemble is the portal to the elegant bell tower which is the origin of the Turkish name of the monastery, "Chanly" (which means "with a bell tower").

Besides the Church of St. Karapet, the monastery also contained the martyrium of St. John the Baptist, the chapel of St. Georg, the chapel of St. Stepanos and the church of St. Astuacacin. This magnificent example of Armenian architecture has been destroyed to its f foundations.

Burials

The bloody wars fought by the Mamikonians (Taron's princely house) against the Sassanians are recalled by the tombs of Mushegh, of Vahan the Wolf and of Sembat. Near the wall on the south reposed the remains of Vahan Kamsarakan.

Gallery

• Closeup, circa 1915
  Closeup, circa 1915
• 
  The two chapels (by H. F. B. Lynch, 1893)
• 
  Monastery of Surb Karapet from the south (1893)
• 
  View south of the Mush Plain from the terrace (1893)

Bibliography

• Vorlage:Lynch 1901 Vol 2
• Vorlage:Hewsen 2001 (Floorplan and history)

See also

• Taron Province of historic Armenia

External links

• Монастырь Сурб Карапет близ Муша. Vorlage:Icon ru (includes historical and recent photos)
• Photos of Saint Karapet Monastery from before 1950, in the 1970s, and in 2000 by Research on Armenian Architecture
• Photos of Saint Karapet Monastery at the Rensselear Digital Collections