Restoration work began this month at the historic Sourp Mariam Asdvadzadzin Church in Armenia’s northern village of Odzun. It follows last fall’s announcement by Armenia’s Ministry of Culture and the Hovhannes Imastaser Catholicos Odznetsi charitable foundation to collaborate on the restoration project.
Established in the 6th century, the church underwent its first major reconstruction in the 8th century under the leadership of the Catholicos Hovhannes Imastaser Odznetsi. During the Soviet period, the church fell into ruin. Plans were made to renovate the structure in the early 1990s, but the project stalled as the young Armenian nation faced the challenges of its early years.
The current project will restore the Sourp Mariam Asdvadzadzin Church to its former glory. Fr. Vertanes Baghumyan, parish pastor, said the community is excited by the effort. Experts estimate that it will take three years to complete the construction work.
