Surb Karapet Church Of Jrarat Restored

SURB KARAPET CHURCH OF JRARAT RESTORED

Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006

HRAZDAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Works of restoration of the Surb Karapet
church of the Jrarat district of the marz center (Hrazdan) of Kotayk
will be finished the next year. Works being continued already for
more than a year are implemented on the initiative and under the
patronage of Ashot Gevorgian, a former inhabitant of the city of
Hrazdan, living at present in Moscow. It is envisaged to re-open the
church during the celebrations dedicated to the 180th anniversary
of foundation of Jrarat. Stepan and Grigor, sons of Melik Sheko,
migrated here in 1827 founded in Jrarat (formerly the village of
Melik or Rndamal). The Surb Karapet church which was built still in
the 16th century was reconstucted by new settlers. But during the
Soviet years, the church was made a storeroom, then was gradually
destroyed. Fortunatly, the most part of stones of the church walls
was kept and is used in the restoration works.