Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Encyclopedia
Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Strovolos
, Nicosia
, Cyprus.
Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre
to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them use of the old Ayios Dhometios chapel in Ayios Dhometios. With the help of the World Council of Churches, the Church of Westphalia, the Cyprus government and the faithful, a new church was built in Strovolos, also called "Sourp Asdvadzadzin". Its foundation stone was laid on 25 September 1976 by Archbishop Makarios III and Archbishop Nerses Pakhdigian. It was officially inaugurated on 22 November 1981 by His Holiness Catholicos of Cilicia Khoren I and His Holiness Coadjutor Catholicos of Cilicia Karekin II, in the presence of Archbishop Chrysostomos I, Bishop Zareh Aznavorian and Representative Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian.
It is the only church in Cyprus built in a traditional Armenian style, with a central octagonal dome and a smaller dome for the bell. The church was renovated in 2005 in memory of the Tutundjian family, killed in the Helios air accident
, while the belfry was also repaired that year in memory of the late der Vazken Sandrouni. The church was renovated on the inside in 2008. Many of its icons are the work of Lebanese-Armenian painter Zohrab Keshishian.
In the same complex with this church is the Nareg Armenian School of Nicosia (1972), the Armenian Prelature building (1984), the Armenian Genocide Monument (1992), the statue of Krikor Naregatsi (1991), a marble khachkar
(2001) and Archbishop Zareh's bust (2005). Below the Prelature building is the "Vahram Utidjian" Hall (1998), venue for many cultural and other events of the community.
The current pastor of the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church is der Momig Habeshian.
Strovolos
Strovolos is a municipality of Nicosia. With a population of near 70,000, it is the second biggest municipality of Cyprus, after Limassol, and the biggest municipality of Nicosia...
, Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, Cyprus.
Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre
Notre Dame de Tyre
Notre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower and convent buildings to the north of the church...
to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them use of the old Ayios Dhometios chapel in Ayios Dhometios. With the help of the World Council of Churches, the Church of Westphalia, the Cyprus government and the faithful, a new church was built in Strovolos, also called "Sourp Asdvadzadzin". Its foundation stone was laid on 25 September 1976 by Archbishop Makarios III and Archbishop Nerses Pakhdigian. It was officially inaugurated on 22 November 1981 by His Holiness Catholicos of Cilicia Khoren I and His Holiness Coadjutor Catholicos of Cilicia Karekin II, in the presence of Archbishop Chrysostomos I, Bishop Zareh Aznavorian and Representative Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian.
It is the only church in Cyprus built in a traditional Armenian style, with a central octagonal dome and a smaller dome for the bell. The church was renovated in 2005 in memory of the Tutundjian family, killed in the Helios air accident
Helios Airways Flight 522
Helios Airways Flight 522 was a Helios Airways Boeing 737-300 flight that crashed into a mountain on 14 August 2005 at 12:04 EEST, north of Marathon and Varnavas, Greece. Rescue teams located wreckage near the community of Grammatiko from Athens...
, while the belfry was also repaired that year in memory of the late der Vazken Sandrouni. The church was renovated on the inside in 2008. Many of its icons are the work of Lebanese-Armenian painter Zohrab Keshishian.
In the same complex with this church is the Nareg Armenian School of Nicosia (1972), the Armenian Prelature building (1984), the Armenian Genocide Monument (1992), the statue of Krikor Naregatsi (1991), a marble khachkar
Khachkar
A khachkar or khatchkar is a carved, cross-bearing, memorial stele covered with rosettes and other botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art found in Armenia.-Description:...
(2001) and Archbishop Zareh's bust (2005). Below the Prelature building is the "Vahram Utidjian" Hall (1998), venue for many cultural and other events of the community.
The current pastor of the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church is der Momig Habeshian.