Vank Cathedral

History

The cathedral was established in 1606, built by the hundreds of thousands of Iranian Armenians who were forcibly resettled by Abbas the Great in his new capital as part of his scorched-earth policy in Armenia during the Ottoman–Safavid War (1603–1618).

The varying fortunes and independence of this suburb across the Zayande River and its eclectic mix of European missionaries, mercenaries, and travelers can be traced almost chronologically in the cathedral's combination styles and contrasts in its external and internal architectural treatment.

Construction

The construction is believed to have begun in 1606 by the first arrivals, and completed with major alterations to the design between 1655 and 1664 under the supervision of Archbishop David. The cathedral consists of a domed sanctuary, much like an Iranian mosque, but with the significant addition of a semi-octagonal apse and raised chancel usually seen in Western-style churches. The cathedral's exteriors are in relatively modern brickwork and are exceptionally plain compared to its elaborately decorated interior.

Frescos

The interior is covered with fine frescos and gilded carvings and includes a wainscot of rich tile work. The delicately blue and gold painted central dome depicts the Biblical story of the creation of the world and man's expulsion from Eden. Pendentives throughout the church are painted with a motif of a cherub's head surrounded by folded wings, typical of Armenian art. The ceiling above the entrance is painted with delicate floral motifs in the style of Persian miniature. Two sections, or bands, of murals run around the interior walls: the top section depicts events from the life of Jesus, while the bottom section depicts tortures inflicted upon Armenian martyrs by the Ottoman Turks.

Vank Cathedral 03.jpg|Interior of the Cathedral Catedral Vank, Isfahán, Irán, 2016-09-20, DD 115-117 HDR.jpg|Ceiling of the Holy Savior Cathedral Catedral Vank, Isfahán, Irán, 2016-09-20, DD 106-108 HDR.jpg|Depiction of Heaven, Earth, and Hell inside the Holy Savior Cathedral Catedral Vank, Isfahán, Irán, 2016-09-20, DD 95-97 HDR.jpg|Interior view of the Holy Savior Cathedral Catedral Vank, Isfahán, Irán, 2016-09-20, DD 112-114 HDR.jpg|Interior view of the Holy Savior Cathedral Esfahan Vanak Church jolfa.jpg|Interior of the church dome 20231115073704 IMG 7707.jpg Wank church - Isfahan - Iran.jpg New Year's Eve celebrations at Vank Cathedral, Isfahan (10).jpg|New Year's Eve celebrations at the Cathedral New Year's Eve celebrations at Vank Cathedral, Isfahan (25).jpg

Courtyard

The courtyard contains a large freestanding belfry towering over the graves of both Orthodox and Protestant Christians. The graves include those of Sir George Malcolm, an English army officer, Alexander Decover, Russian consul and banker, and Andrew Jukes, English surgeon and agent of the British government. A tile work plaque inscribed in Armenian can be seen by the entrance to the cathedral. Graves are also placed along the exterior wall before the entrance, with inscriptions in Armenian. In one corner of the courtyard, there is a raised area with a memorial to the 1915 Armenian genocide in Turkey. Across the courtyard and facing the cathedral, there is a building housing a library and museum. Outside of this building are several carved stones showing scenes from the Bible.

Church of Julfa by Eugène Flandin.jpg|Painting of the Cathedrl in 1840s by Eugène Flandin CH-NB - Persien, Djulfa- Kirche - Annemarie Schwarzenbach - SLA-Schwarzenbach-A-5-07-042.jpg|The Cathedral in early 20th century CH-NB - Persien, Djulfa- Kirche - Annemarie Schwarzenbach - SLA-Schwarzenbach-A-5-07-052.jpg CH-NB - Persien, Djulfa- Kirche - Annemarie Schwarzenbach - SLA-Schwarzenbach-A-5-07-057.jpg Isfahan New Julfa R01.jpg|The Cathedral in 1930s Vank Cathedral of Isfahan.jpg|Entrance of the courtyard Vank Cathedral 01.jpg|The Cathedral Vank-Cathedral-.jpg Vank Cathedral photo44.jpg Vank Church -3.jpg Vankalt.jpg Vank Church. Isfahan.jpg Vank Cathedral photo25.jpg 20110106 Vank Cathedral Isfahan Iran Panoramic View (cropped).jpg کلیسای سن سور وانک4.jpg Vank Cathedral courtyard.jpg|The courtyard of the Holy Savior Cathedral Polish 20200921 151052770.jpg Vank Church - panoramio (2).jpg پژواک.jpg Vank Cathedral Isfahan Aarash (31).jpg کلیسای وانک 6.jpg کلیسای وانک 5.jpg Vank Cathedral photo15.jpg Entrance of the Holy Savior Cathedral (the Vank), New Julfa.JPG|Main gate of the Holy Saviour Cathedral Vank Cathedral Isfahan Aarash (19).jpg استوار بمان.jpg|The southern gate Vank Cathedral photo7.jpg Vank Cathedral photo9.jpg|The cathedral library کلیسا وانک-1.jpg|Cathedral Entrance Entrance of the Holy Savior Cathedral (the Vank), New Julfa.JPG|The corridor Hv9.jpg Armenian Genocide Memorial - Courtyard of Vank Cathedral - Jolfa Suburb - Isfahan - Central Iran - 02 (7433448052) (2).jpg|Armenian Genocide memorial

Library and museum

The library contains over 700 handwritten books and many valuable and unique resources for research in Armenian and medieval European languages and arts. The museum displays numerous artifacts from the history of the cathedral and the Armenian community in Isfahan, including:

• the 1606 edict of Abbas the Great establishing New Julfa;
• several edicts by Abbas I and his successors condemning and prohibiting interference with, or persecution of, Armenians and their property and affairs;
• a historic printing press and the first book printed in Iran;
• vestments, monstrances, chalices, and other sacramental artifacts;
• Safavid costumes, tapestries, European paintings brought back by Armenian merchants, embroidery, and other treasures from the community's trading heritage;
• ethnological displays portraying aspects of Armenian culture and religion;
• an extensive display of photographs, maps, and Turkish documents (with translation) related to the 1915 Armenian genocide in Turkey.

The cathedral has greatly influenced the architecture and decorative treatment of many subsequent Orthodox churches in the region.

References

References

1. 1845119894 p 200
2. "Vank Cathedral".