When I wrote about Steven Sim’s report on Nakhichevan (a historic Armenian landmark now under Azerbaijani control) in a previous entry, I also posted a photo taken by him that showed “the ruins” (actually it showed some ground, since there are not even ruins left) of an ancient Armenian church.

The church is St. Karapet (St. John) of Aprakunis, built before 1381A.D. The supporting-founders of the church were Hovnan Vorotnetsi (Hovnan of Vorotn) and Grigor Tatevatsi (Grigor of Tatev), important figures in Armenian history.

According to an old tradition, snake poisoning was treated in this cathedral with the “blessed soil.” Because of that, the Christian cathedral was also a holy place for local Muslims.

St. John of Aprakunis (or Aprakunyats Surp Karapet) was rebuilt during 1655-1678, and a religious school was opened next to it in 1869.

Until the 1980s, there were cross stones (khachkars) dating back to 1475 A.D. next to the cathedral.

The cathedral was partially destroyed during the Armenian genocide of 1915, but it still remained until the late 1980s; until Azerbaijan decided they will teach their children that no Armenians ever lived in these lands…

I am posting here photos of the cathedral before the 1990s and the photos taken by Scot Steven Sim in 2005. Please note, that Azerbaijanis say that there had never been such a church in Nakhichevan…

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St. Karapet before the 1990s

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St. Karapet in 2005 (photo by Steven Sim)

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St. Karapet before the 1990s

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St. Karapet in 2005 (photo by Steven Sim)

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Comparison