Introduction to Dzordzor
The house of God is perhaps the only place where all the people on this earth feel comfortable surrounded by liturgy with the creator of existence for thousands of years, it has gone up into the skies in caves, fireplaces, synagogues, churches, and mosques, making the earth a throne. In these safe houses, we invite you to the backyard of a church, into the heart of a mountain that rests on the edge of a lake, and slept only by the whirlwind of stars and the praise of the meadows right now. When lush valleys with dense grasslands and eye-catching landscapes of the Ararat fall into a church that sits on the edge of a lake alongside the Maku border, you are unconsciously curious about the work. The sacred and calming, which has become more mystical in the silence of these valleys, is enough to sharpen your ears to the sound of wind blowing through your skin and the flowers that make you smile to tell you.
History of the Church of St. Mary or Dzordzor
In 1348, after years of struggle, Hwans Dzordzorsi lost sight of the world forever, and with his death, the Church of St. Mary no longer had a former scientific function and became a small religious church. Many alumni left the church and went to other scientific centers. The church remained as religious and humble as it was in its early years until the 17th century when the prolonged wars between Persia and the Ottoman Empire left the country and abandoned the church. From that day on, the church remained closed in a valley full of silence and amazement and it is now a crucifix, 4m high, and resembles a simple Christian prayer house, reminiscent of the priests who used to worship God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and a 16-foot-tall dome. The stem of the dome is relatively long and on the stem, some lights provide the needed light throughout the daylight and a cross on the high dome.
The Church of St. Mary or Dzordzor has only one entrance on the west side. A simple, metallic door with a cross makes this church strangely simple and beautiful. There is something written on the door of the church in Armenian, which is probably the name of the church, though it has been closed for years. No other clergyman’s need has been heard. The only sound of the stars, valleys, and highlands of Ararat that keep this church amidst. But these are not the whole story of this stunning church.
The Church of Dzordzor at Risk
It should be noted that the Baroon [Rain] Dam flooding, threatened the destruction and drowning of the Forced Church, and the Cultural Heritage Organization, in a commendable action, moved the church from stone to stone and brick to brick; Not only was not damaged during the transition, but its appearance was completely preserved, and the echoes of past centuries of worship continued to be heard, a move that first occurred throughout Persia and due to that, a historical monument was moved.
The Church of St. Mary, As a World Heritage
This church along with other churches surrounding such as St. Thaddeus and St. Stepanus reminds us of the land’s stories and due to its importance, impact, and cultural and artistic influences on the destiny of the people’s lives, in 2008 it was listed on UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Location of the Church of St. Mary
The church is located on the border between Iran and Turkey and in the confines of the Baroon Dam. These factors have made it possible to access the church in such a sensitive area only in coordination with relevant agencies and to reach this chapel you have to follow the road to Dam of Baron Road from Maku City to the top of the mountain.