“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2025
2025
The testimonies of authors who lived in the 19th century hold a special place in the struggle against historical falsifications. Their information, directly or indirectly, refutes falsifications regarding various issues in the history of the Armenian people. The inspector of the two-grade school in the Chahuk (Jahri) village of the Nakhijevan region, A. Ter-Margarov, published an article[1] about the Karmir (Red) Monastery.
The author noted that the Karmir Monastery complex is located in the Nakhijevan district of the Yerevan province, separate from the village of the same name, on a hill on the left bank of the Arax River. It was built in the 5th century from hewn red stone, which likely gave it its name. Ter-Margarov then presented the folk story that after the Battle of Avarayr (May 26, 451), the wounded were brought to the monastery, and the courtyard and all the steps leading to the monastery were stained with blood, which is why it was named Karmir Monastery. The monastery complex was named in honor of Saint Stephen (Surb Stepanos). Additionally, the author mentioned that the village of Karmir Vank had been founded 35-40 years ago and had 14 Armenian households.
Both local residents and pilgrims from neighboring villages and the city of Nakhijevan, and sometimes even from the Sharur-Daralagyoz district visited the monastery.
According to Ter-Margarov, there are inscriptions on the walls of the monastery about the restoration of the monastery and the construction activities carried out by Hakob Mets, who lived in the 10th century. Additionally, the restorations made by Archbishop Hovsep in 1617 and by the diocesan leader of Astapat, Nikoghayos, in 1832 are also recorded.
The author wrote that there was a school here. On the walls of the monastery, images of Gregory the Illuminator, Saint Hakob, and other saints were still preserved. Particularly notable is the northern wall of the church, where two depictions of the Crucifixion of the Savior are carved, along with Saint Stephen holding a cross, a depiction of the monastery beside him, and two tall crosses, among others. On the southern side of the church the grave of archpriest Hakob, dated 1672 was located. The church preserved a Gospel with a leather cover, written in 1205. The monastery also housed relics of Saint Stephen, Aristakes, the son of Saint Gregory, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Barbara. The church had a bell tower, which collapsed due to the earthquake of 1840.
Near the southern wall of Karmir Monastery, there was a small pool where, in ancient times, those converting to Christianity were baptized. On the left bank of the Arax River, not far from Karmir Monastery, were the ruins of the Saint Vardan Church in Astapat. The author wrօտե that the name Astapat originated from the Armenian words "ast" (here) and "pat" (wall), because the wounded Vardan was brought to the church and covered with a sheet.
Karmir vank (the Abasabad (Astapat) village of the Babek district in the Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic), along with other Armenian monuments in the Nakhijevan region, was destroyed by the Azerbaijani authorities between 1997 and 2003.
[1] «Сборник материалов для описания местностей и племен Кавказа», выпуск 27, Тифлис, 1900, отдел I, с. 53-64․