“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2026
2026
2024-05-06
ARTAK MAGHALYAN, PhD
The historical Aluank Proper (Caucasian Abania) was spread between the Kura River and the Caucasus mountain range. The region was rich in many monuments of Armenian culture (churches, cross-stones, graves, etc.).
The historical Caucasian Albania, located between the Kura River and the Caucasus mountain range, was home to numerous Armenian cultural monuments, including churches, cross-stones, and graves. Over the centuries, the local Armenians, under pressure Aluank Proper region, stretching from Shamakhi to the city of Zakatala. Chalet was one of those settlements.
Chalet had been known as a center of writing since the 15th century and was remarkably rich in historical monuments. In the northern part of the village, the remains of the famous Surb Astvastatsin monastery complex of Chalet are preserved. The monastery complex consisted of two churches, rooms of congregation, the walls and a cemetery.
The old church of the monastery was built in 1411 by Karapet Catholicos of Aluank. A construction record has been preserved:
In the name of God, I, Karapet Catholicos, built this church in 1411, in memory of my soul, whoever reads it, remember my prayer.
A tombstone found in the old church was engraved.
Catholicos of Karapet (1411)
Here are the three tombs of the holies
That were anointed in the Albanian house
Wandering around here at that time
There are buried under the tombs...
The remains of three Catholicoses who worked in the monastery were buried in the territory of the monastery, of which it was once possible to copy only the epitaph of Catholicos Tovma.
In 1475, death of Catholicos Tovma.
Catholicos Tovma was succeeded by Catholicos Arakel, who renovated the old church of Chalet at the end of the 15th century, leaving the following inscription:
I, the Catholicos Arakel, built the holy cross and repaired the head of the church. For the [peace] of the soul of Catholicos Tovma. Whoever sits in this chair: A (1) liturgy... [celebrate] Easter.
The name of Catholicos Arakel is also mentioned in a donation record of 1511.
In 1511, I, Catholicos Arakel, bought back the village of Chalet in front of the church from Mr. Hasanbek. I spent 3000 and I gave it to the Holy Mother of God for our souls, and whoever opposes this, or takes it away․․․
Lithographic inscriptions reveal that the Saint Astvatsatsin Monastery in Chalet served as the residence of the descendants of the Catholicos of Aluank for a century, from 1411 to 1511. The names of the Catholicos Karapet, Tovma, and Arakel, who held their seats at the Chalet Monastery, are known from these records.