Drazark monastery

Etymology

Drazark in Armenian language directly means knock on the door. But beside Drazark the monastery was known by some other names:

1. T'razark (Armenian: Թրազարկ) in Armenian language mean Sword's strike.
2. P'osivank (Armenian: Փոսիվանք), in Armenian language means monastery in a yawner.
3. Avag-vank (Armenian: Ավագ վանք), in Armenian language means main monastery

The Exterior

Summarizing recollections on Drazark frequently met numerous words like "big, inhabited by angels, notable, extremely outstanding" and similar characterizations which allows to suggest, this was a great monastic complex. Drazark consisted of 5 churches. Main church standing in the middle was called Surb Astvatzatzin (Armenian: Սուրբ Աստվածածին) that in Armenian language means Holy Virgin. Another 4 churches were attached to it by forming a cross:

1. Surb Nshan (Armenian: Սուրբ Նշան) in Armenian language means "Holy Portent"
2. Surb P'rkich (Armenian: Սուրբ Փրկիչ) in Armenian language means "Holy Savior"
3. Surb Grigor (Armenian: Սուրբ Գրիգոր Լուսավորիչ) in the name of Saint Gregory the Illuminator
4. Surb T'oros (Armenian: Սուրբ Թորոս) in Armenian language in the name of St. Toros.

History

The date the monastery was founded is unknown, but the first mention refers to the 10th century AD. At the start of the 12th century (1100–1129) Prince Toros I restored the monastery, turned it to Cilician Roubenid mausoleum and an educational center. There was also bishop's residence of the capital Sis. Construction was headed by persons who came upon the invitation of Prince Toros I. They were Gevorg Meghrik Vaspurakantsi (Armenian: Գևորգ Մեղրիկ Վասպուրականցի) (George Meghrik from Vaspurakan) and Kirakos Gitnakan (Armenian: Կիրակոս Գիտնական) (Kirakos the Scientist). After the request of the prince these persons remained there and in (1050–1121) period they launched an exuberant educational activity, made numerous handwritten books and manuscripts for the monks brotherhood, developed a regulations whereby the monks must be occupied by reading and copying the manuscripts. They have proofread the "Apostles' Act" (Armenian: Գործք առաքելոց) after translation from Greek, interpretation of St. John's Gospel (Armenian: Հովհաննեսի Ավետարան), completed a "Celebrating" (Armenian: Տոնական գիրք) and "Lunch" (Armenian: Ճաշոց գիրք) books, translated several codexes and testimonies. At 1114 (after the death of archimandrite Gevorg Meghrik) as a new leader was elected the archimandrite Kirakos Gitnakan. Years later, the monastery of Drazark headed an archimandrite Barseh - personality endowed with special privileges. It was followed an archimandrite Samuel (1178–1181). At the coronation of King Levon II also attended the leader of Drazark monastery archibishop Hovannes which was also archibishop of Sis in 1198–1219 period. Many notable personalities of the time acted in Drazark monastery, such as Vardan Aygektsi, Arakel Hnazandents, Barseh Gitnavor, Konstantin Lambronatsi at whose time the monastery became target to enemies (1305). Within the walls of Drazark monastery studied such a masters of medieval written language as Hovhannes Arqayeghbayr (1220–1289)(junior brother of the King Hetum I), Sargis Pitsak and some others. The monsatery was also famed by its high level of musical education. Toros P'ilisop'a (the Philosopher) and Hovsep Yerazhisht were the illustrious heads of the monastic musicians. Drazark monastery had a reputation of high quality of teaching the languages and there always encouraged overall development for its pupils. Inside of the monastery trained the diplomats for the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. For example Toros Philosopher was subsequently a statesman of Cilician Armenia. At the time of Levon 3 (1269–89) and Hetum 2 (1289–1307), Toros Philosopher served as ambassador of Cilician Armenia in kingdom of England. Monastery of Drazark remained standing even after the demise of Cilician Armenia. It was functioning even in dark period of the Seljukid and Ottoman rulers for Cilician Armenians in next several centuries. At the time of Cilician Massacre the monastery were plundered and ceased functioning, as its priests were murdered by Turks. Eventually the monastery of Drazark ceased to exist during the Armenian Genocide. It shared the fate of millions Armenians and fell victim to Turks.

People buried in the monastic cemetery

1. Thoros I, Prince of Armenia
2. Thoros II, Prince of Armenia
3. Thoros III, King of Armenia
4. Ruben III, Prince of Armenia
5. King Hetum I
6. Queen Zabel
7. Catholicos Grigor IV Son
8. Catholicos Grigor V K'aravehz
9. Catholicos Konstantin I Bardzraberdtsi
10. Catholicos Konstantin IV Lambronatsi
11. Sargis Pitsak
12. Gevorg Meghrik

Current condition

Ruins of Drazark monastery, especially its main church of Surb Astvatzatzin were still available up to 1930, but later in all probability they were completely erased by Turks.

Cultural heritage from Drazark that reached our days

However, the Matenadaran institute (repository of ancient Armenian manuscripts) in Yerevan has a collection containing over 40 handwritten books made at Drazark monastery. They are written partially at a parchment and decorated by miniature paintings done by hands of medieval authors of gilded paint with wide use of Vordan Karmir. In addition some of the manuscripts that was created in Drazark stored today in Matenadaran institute under the numbers: 154, 199, 1576, 3792, 3845, 3929, 5736, 6290, 10524. There is a Bibles, interpretations, motet writings, tutorials on natural sciences, the oldest copy of famous "Book of Lamentations" by Grigor Narekatsi and so on.