Saint Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral

Saint Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral, located in the village of Oshakan, Armenia, is a pivotal site in Armenian religious and cultural history. It serves as the final resting place for Mesrop Mashtots, the revered inventor of the Armenian alphabet. The church is a significant pilgrimage destination, drawing visitors particularly during the Feast of the Holy Translators in October.

Early History and Foundation

Mesrop Mashtots died around 440 AD. Historical accounts from figures like Movses Khorenatsi, Koriun, and Ghazar Parpetsi indicate that his body was brought to Oshakan, the native village of Vahan Amatuni, a prominent figure. Three years after Mashtots' death, in 443 AD, Vahan Amatuni is credited with building a structure on his grave, interpreted by scholars as either a simple altar within an existing chapel or, more commonly, a martyrium or chapel specifically built to commemorate Mashtots. Little is documented about the site's history through the medieval period until the early 19th century, when inscriptions dating to the late 13th century were discovered. The church suffered significant dilapidation over centuries, with records from the 17th century noting a collapsed roof and later efforts at renovation by Catholicos Pilippos and Catholicos Nerses Ashtaraketsi proving insufficient to preserve the structure.

Reconstruction and Modern Era

A comprehensive reconstruction campaign was initiated by Catholicos Gevorg IV in 1868, successfully raising funds to rebuild the church. The construction of the new building, a vaulted basilica fashioned from black tuff, commenced in 1873 and was completed in 1879, consecrated on October 21 of that year. The new church is a substantial edifice, capable of holding 800 people, and is noted for its architectural beauty, though considered less grand than major urban cathedrals. The original grave of Mesrop Mashtots remains beneath the main altar, marked by a marble gravestone. A distinctive cylindrical bell-tower, a rare feature in Armenian architecture, was added in 1884. The church underwent further extensive renovations in the 1960s, supported by the Ghazarosian brothers. These renovations included the addition of monumental frescoes by Hovhannes Minasian and Henrik Mamian, vividly illustrating the creation of the Armenian alphabet. In 1996, Saint Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral was designated as the seat of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, solidifying its ongoing importance as a spiritual and administrative center. The church building's ownership was formally transferred from the Armenian government to the church in 2000, following a period of renovation of the surrounding area funded by philanthropist Djivan Koboyan. Archaeological findings in 2012 uncovered remains of the original 5th-century structure, further attesting to the site's ancient origins.