Diocese of Tavush

Diocese of Tavush (Armenian: Տավուշի թեմ T'avushi t'em), is one of the newest dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church covering the Tavush Province of Armenia. The diocesan headquarters are located in the town of Ijevan. The seat of the bishop is the Surp Nerses Cathedral of Ijevan which was consecrated in 1998.^[1]

The diocese was established in 2010, when it was separated from the Diocese of Gougark.^[2] The prelacy building is located on the Yerevanian Street in the town of Ijevan, on the left bank of Aghstev river.

Structure

The primate of the diocese is bishop Bagrat Galstanyan who is in service since tJune 2015. The diocese has 3 priests who serve the are serving the 31 acting places of worship within the Tavush Province.^[3]

The diocese has the following departments:^[4]

• Administration
• Christian education centre
• Media
• Youth centre
• Social
• Economy

Acting churches

As of 2016, the diocese has 17 churches, 4 monasteries and 10 chapels acting under its jurisdiction.^[5]

Churches

The Holy Mother of God Church of Movses

• Holy Saviour Church of Ijevan
• Surp Nerses cathedral of Ijevan
• Surp Grigor Church of Gandzakar
• Surp Gevorg Church of Lusadzor
• Saint David Church of Khashtarak
• Saint Vartan Church of Aknaghbyur
• Surp Gevorg Church of Berkaber
• Saint Helena Church of Yenokavan
• Holy Cross Church of Dilijan
• Surp Hovhannes Church of Berd
• Holy Mother of God Church of Movses
• Holy Mother of God Church of Tavush
• Surp Hovhannes Church of Verin Karmiraghbyur
• Saint Sarkis Church of Noyemberyan
• Saint Anne Church of Noyemberyan
• Surp Hovhannes Church of Koghb
• Holy Mother of God Church of Koti

Monasteries

Haghartsin Monastery, 13th century

• Makaravank near Achajur
• Haghartsin Monastery near Dilijan
• Goshavank near Gosh
• Aghavnavank Monastery near Aghavnavank

Chapels

Tsrviz Chapel of the 5th century

• Tsrviz Chapel near Lusahovit
• Holy Mother of God Chapel of Kirants
• Holy Mother of God Chapel of Ditavan
• Holy Mother of God Chapel of Sarigyugh
• Holy Cross Chapel of Sevkar
• Holy Mother of God Chapel of Nerkin Tsaghkavan
• Surp Gayane Chapel of Voskevan
• Surp Anne Chapel of Bagratashen
• Surp Grigor Chapel of Barekamavan
• Surp Hovhannes Chapel of Ayrum

Inactive places of worship

Holy Mother of God Church of Voskepar

• Jukhtak Vank Monastery near Dilijan
• Holy Mother of God Church near Voskepar
• Samsonavank Monastery near Kirants
• Arakelots Monastery near Kirants
• Kirants Monastery near Kirants
• Skhmurad Monastery near Verin Tsaghkavan
• Matosavank Monastery near Dilijan
• Nor Varagavank Monastery near Varagavan
• Khoranashat Monastery near Chinari
• Srvegh Monastery near Aygehovit
• Mshkavank Monastery near Koghb
• Khachbazar Monastery near Gandzakar
• Kaptavank Monastery near Chinchin
• Okonakhach Church near Yenokavan

Primates

• Archimandrite Torgom Tonikyan (as vicar, 10 December 2010 - 20 May 2012)
• Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan (20 May 2012 - 20 June 2015)
• Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan (20 June 2015 - )

References