Armenians in Tbilisi
Encyclopedia
Armenians in Tbilisi are ethnic Armenians
living within the city of Tbilisi
, the capital of Georgia
. Armenians are the second largest ethnic minority in Tbilisi
at 7.6% of the population. Armenians formed the majority in the city until the early 20th century. Official Georgian statistics put the Armenians in Tbilisi 82,586 people.
(known as Tiflis in Armenian, Russian, Persian, Azeri and Turkish) is very significant. After the Russian conquest of the area, Armenians fleeing persecution in the Ottoman Empire
and Persia caused a jump in the Armenian population until it reached about 40% of the city total. Many of the mayors and business class were Armenian, and much of the old city was built by Armenians. Until recently the neighborhoods of Havlabar and the area across the river were very heavily Armenian, but that has changed a great deal in the last two decades.
The following table is the lisy of the main ethnic groups in Tbilisi by years:
An Armenian community has been known to have existed in Tbilisi since at least the 7th century. Armenian community life was very rich in Tiflis. By the late Middle Ages, there were some 24 Armenian churches and monasteries in and around the city. According to Tournefort, Armenians constituted three-quarters of the population of Tiflis in the 18th century, and owned 24 churches. Ten of the churches were destroyed in the 1930s, and as of 1979, fourteen were still standing.
Here is the list of Armenian churches in Tbilisi.
In 1916, the Province of Tiflis had a population of 1,473,000, among whom Armenians numbered 411,000, Shi'a Muslims (mostly Azeri Tatars and some Persians) 39,000, Sunni Muslims (Tatars and Turks) 129,000, Kurds (Muslim and Yezidi) 56,000, Russians 150,000, Georgians 580,000, and other Christians (Catholics, Protestants, etc.) 18,000.
Under Tsarist Rule, the city of Tiflis became the center of Russian rule for the whole viceroyalty of Caucasia. During the 19th century, Tiflis became the center of the Eastern Armenian renaissance and an Armenian cultural center second only to Constantinople
.
Until recently the neighborhoods of Havlabar and the area across the river were very heavily Armenian. The older Armenian neighborhood of Tbilisi, on both sides of the river between Freedom Square and Havlabar carry Armenian names, including Tumanyan, Abovian, Akopian, Alikhanian, Sundukian, Yerevan, Ararat and Sevan.
The Diocese Church (the Saint Gevorg Church
) in Tbilisi where the Armenian primate of Tbilisi sits is very close to the city fortress. In front of the church is the tomb of the famous Armenian Georgian bard, Sayat-Nova
(An author of poems in Armenian, Georgian and Turkish). In Havlabar, the other Armenian Church of Echmiadzin is undergoing renovation and reconstruction. The "Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi
" has the tombs of many famous Armenians including writers Hovhannes Tumanyan
and Raffi
.
Freedom Square was once officially Paskevich Yerevanski Square, or commonly Yerevan Square, then Lenin Square. Paskevich Erevanski was a Russian general and was called Paskevich of Yerevan in honor of his taking of Yerevan
from İrevan khanat for the Russian Empire.
Armenian theatre was established as early as 1858 by the great Armenian theatre figure Gevork Chmshkian. The first staging was "Adji Souleyman" performance. In 1936 it was rebuilt and the new theatre was renamed Stepan Shahumian Armenian Theatre. A number of generations of great Armenian actors have performed on its stage. Music for theatre pieces were often written by Aram Khachaturian
, Armen Tigranian, Alexander Spendiarian, Gourgen Shakhbazian and others. Nowadays Petros Adamian Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre is the main cultural center of Georgian-Armenian community of Tbilisi and it continues the work of the great predecessors.
In 2005 the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in Georgia initialized erecting a khachkar
(cross-stone memorial) in Tbilisi in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide
.
, where prominent Armenians are buried has the tombs of some of Armenian's favorite personalities ever, including Raffi and Hovhannes Tumanyan
. The adjacent Armenian cemetery was taken over by the Georgian Church and their new national cathedral was built upon it (please confirm). The remaining space in between the Pantheon and the new Georgian cathedral is now the construction site of what appears to be a Georgian Seminary. Again, the Armenian tombs here are being ignored, and human bones are being moved around like dirt.
A number of Armenian churches have been confiscated by the Georgian State/Church as documented by the United States State Department: "The Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches have been unable to secure the return of churches and other facilities closed during the Soviet period, many of which later were given to the Georgian Orthodox Church by the State. The prominent Armenian church in Tbilisi, Norashen, remained closed, as did four other smaller Armenian churches in Tbilisi and one in Akhaltsikhe. In addition, the Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches, as with Protestant denominations, have had difficulty obtaining permission to construct new churches due to pressure from the GOC."
The older Armenian neighborhood of Tbilisi, on both sides of the river between Freedom Square and Havlabar has a some streets with Armenian names, including Tumanian, Abovian, Akopian, Alikhanian, Sundukian, Yerevan, Ararat and Sevan. Some other names which may or may not be Armenian (I cannot tell) include L. Asathian, Sh. Dadian.
This church is where the primate of Tbilisi has his offices. Near the baths, under the fortress. In front of the church is the tomb of the famous bard, Sayat Nova.
Ejmiatsin Church
(not to be confused with the main Ejmiatsin Church in Armenia)
The Ejmiatsin Church is an 18th century Armenian church in the Havlabar
district of Old Tbilisi
. The church is adjacent to the Avlabari Square.
Norashen Church
Norashen Church is located on Leselidze Street, flanked on the left by a Greek church, now transformed into a Georgian orthodox one, on the right by the Georgian Church Sioni and a few more meters further down the synagogue the mosque.
Norashen was founded in 1467 and renovated in 1650 by Nazar. At this time, the great cupola was rebuilt by Master Petros. A series of renovations followed in 1795, 1808 and in 1875. The Lidatamashian and Vartanov families and Katarina Pridonian are buried next to the Church. During the Soviet era, the church was transformed into an archive.
There is a 17 year old conflict relating to Norashen Church, one of the Armenian churches in Tbilisi. A Georgian priest has been waging a destructive campaign to erase any evidence of the church having been Armenian and negotiations over the fate of the church continue. The Archbishops Garegin and Grigoris came from Armenia to Tbilisi, where they met with Iliad II, the Georgian Patriarch and it was decided to stop all actions until the advent of better times. The church has been closed since.
Belltower
This belltower is all that is left of what was once a large Armenian church, which was demolished by the Soviet Georgian government.
Saint Gevorg of Mughni Church
This Armenian church with a tin roof and blue glazed crosses is under the control of the Georgian church and is about to crumble (as of November, 2006).
Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem
This church has been restored as a Georgian Orthodox Church. Has an Armenian inscription on the side.
Surb Stepanos Convent
The crypt/tomb of a wealthy Armenian benfactor has been destroyed.
Karap Surb George Church
Small Armenian Church now being used as a Georgian Church. Karap is the name of the neighborhood, meaning Stoneside (Kar-ap, the neighborhood abuts stone mountainside).
Church of the Holy Seal
This Armenian Church of 1701 has green roof tiles and blue crosses on the side. It is in very critical condition. It was filled with books, but a fire burned them and the floor is still littered with the remains. The Armenian Church is still not allowed to use this property. Many Armenian inscriptions, graves and some khachkars remain. Most of the graves outside have been swallowed up by the garages of neighboring houses.
Surb Minas Basilica
Small old basilica in Havlabar which may have been Armenian. Was used as a small production/factory space during Soviet times, thus the green and white interior paint.
Surb Marine Church
Small old church in Havlabar which may have been Armenian.
Church of the Red Gospel
Massive Armenian church located in Havlabar, 1 block from the metro (away from the new Georgian Cathedral). Numerous Armenian inscriptions. Said to have been blown up in 1989 by Georgian nationalists.
Petros Adamian Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre was established in 1858 by the Armenian theatre figure George Chmshkian. The first staging was "Adji Suleyman" performance. From 1922 through 1936 before building of the new current theatre building the theatres name was "Artistic theatre". In 1936 was built a new theatre building which was named Stepan Shahumian Armenian Theatre, after Bolshevik
Stepan Shahumian. The first performance was Mkrtich (Nikita) Djanan's performance "Shahname". Here worked Petros Adamian
, Siranoush (Merobe Kantarjian), Vahram Papazian, Hovhannes Abelian
, Olga Maysourian, Isaac Alikhanian, Mariam Mojorian, Artem and Maria Beroians, Artem Lusinian, Babken Nersesian, Darius Amirbekian, Ashot Kadjvorian, Emma Stepanian, Armenian directors: Arshak Bourdjalian, Leon Kalantar, Stepan Kapanakian, Alexander Abarian, Ferdinand Bzhikian, Hayk Umikian, Mickael Grigorian, Ivan Karapetian, Roman Chaltikian, Roman Matiashvili, Robert Yegian. Music for theatres often was written by Aram Khachaturian
, Armen Tigranian
, Alexander Spendiarian, and others.
Nowadays Peter Adamian Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre is the main spiritual and public center of Georgian-Armenian community.
Adjacent to the huge new Georgian cathedral, but very hard to access (you must go past it, then back over a bridge, near the big antenna). The Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi
has the tombs of many famous Armenians including Hovhannes Tumanyan
and Raffi. Most of the tombstones were removed in 2002 and replaced with uniform black squares with names and dates.
(cross-stone memorial) in Tbilisi in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide
. Thousands of genocide refugees resided in various parts of Georgia after 1915. Armenian Cooperation Centre of Georgia supported that initiation with gathering of necessary funds and organizing preparation of the monument. By February 2006 the monument is technically ready to be erected, but the Diocese still didn't receive the answer to its request.
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
living within the city of Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, the capital of Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. Armenians are the second largest ethnic minority in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
at 7.6% of the population. Armenians formed the majority in the city until the early 20th century. Official Georgian statistics put the Armenians in Tbilisi 82,586 people.
History
The Armenian history and contribution to the capital city of TbilisiTbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
(known as Tiflis in Armenian, Russian, Persian, Azeri and Turkish) is very significant. After the Russian conquest of the area, Armenians fleeing persecution in the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
and Persia caused a jump in the Armenian population until it reached about 40% of the city total. Many of the mayors and business class were Armenian, and much of the old city was built by Armenians. Until recently the neighborhoods of Havlabar and the area across the river were very heavily Armenian, but that has changed a great deal in the last two decades.
| Year | Total | Georgians Georgians The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America.... |
% | Armenians Armenians Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian.... |
% | Russians Russians The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries.... |
% | Azerbaijanis | % | Greeks Greeks The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world.... |
% | Ossetians Ossetians The Ossetians are an Iranic ethnic group of the Caucasus Mountains, eponymous of the region known as Ossetia.They speak Ossetic, an Iranian language of the Eastern branch, with most also fluent in Russian as a second language.... |
% | Jews Jews The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation... |
% | Others | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1817 | 15,000 | 2,800 | 18.9% | 11,200 | 75.6% | 400 | 2.1% | 300 | 2% | 15 | 0.1% | 285 | 1.9% | ||||
| 1864 | 60,100 | 14,900 | 22.2% | 28,500 | 47.4% | 12,300 | 10.4% | 1,000 | 1.5% | 100 | 0.4% | 400 | 0.7% | 2,900 | 4.8% | ||
| 1876 | 91,700 | 22,200 | 24.1% | 37,600 | 41% | 19,600 | 21.3% | 2,200 | 2.3% | 400 | 0.4% | 300 | 0.3% | 1,100 | 1.2% | 8,300 | 9.1% |
| 1899 | 172,600 | 44,900 | 26% | 63,000 | 36.4% | 35,500 | 21.1% | 3,000 | 1.7% | 1,000 | 0.5% | 2,000 | 1.6% | 2,400 | 1.4% | 20,800 | 12.5% |
| 1926 | 294,044 | 112,014 | 38.1% | 100,148 | 34.1% | 45,937 | 15.6% | 5,836 | 2% | 1,402 | 0.5% | 2,890 | 1% | 9,005 | 3.1% | 16,812 | 5.8% |
| 1939 | 519,220 | 228,394 | 44% | 137,331 | 26.4% | 93,337 | 18% | 5,874 | 1.1% | 3,207 | 0.6% | 9,328 | 1.8% | 13,915 | 2.7% | 27,834 | 5.4% |
| 1959 | 694,664 | 336,257 | 48.4% | 149,258 | 21.5% | 125,674 | 18.1% | 9,560 | 1.4% | 7,054 | 1% | 15,565 | 2.2% | 17,311 | 2.5% | 51,296 | 7.4% |
| 1970 | 889,020 | 511,379 | 57.5% | 150,205 | 16.9% | 124,316 | 4% | 10,810 | 1.2% | 10,969 | 1.2% | 21,979 | 2.5% | 19,579 | 2.2% | 40,238 | 4.5% |
| 1979 | 1,052,734 | 653,242 | 62.1% | 152,767 | 14.5% | 129,122 | 12.3% | 12,852 | 1.2% | 16,179 | 1.5% | 27,864 | 2.6% | 14,877 | 1.4% | 45,831 | 4.4% |
| 2002 | 1,081,679 | 910,712 | 84.2% | 82,586 | 7.6% | 32,580 | 3% | 10,942 | 1% | 3,792 | 0.4% | 10,268 | 0.9% | 30,799 | 2.8% | ||
An Armenian community has been known to have existed in Tbilisi since at least the 7th century. Armenian community life was very rich in Tiflis. By the late Middle Ages, there were some 24 Armenian churches and monasteries in and around the city. According to Tournefort, Armenians constituted three-quarters of the population of Tiflis in the 18th century, and owned 24 churches. Ten of the churches were destroyed in the 1930s, and as of 1979, fourteen were still standing.
Here is the list of Armenian churches in Tbilisi.
- Holy Mother of God (Mens)Church of the Holy Mother of God of the Mens MonasteryThe Church of the Holy Mother of God of the Mens Monastery was a 14th century Armenian church in Tiflis on the right bank of the Kura river. It was the largest church in Tiflis until it was demolished circa 1930. The church was built in brick in the 14th century, restored in 1480, and more...
- NorashenNorashen Church, TbilisiNorashen Holy Mother of God Church or Norashen Sourb Astvatzatzin Church is a 15th century Armenian church in Old Tbilisi, Georgia. It was founded in 1467 and renovated in 1650. It also underwent renovations later in 1795, 1808, and 1875...
- Bethlehem St. Astvatsatsin
- Pashavanq churchChurch of the Holy Mother of God of the Mens MonasteryThe Church of the Holy Mother of God of the Mens Monastery was a 14th century Armenian church in Tiflis on the right bank of the Kura river. It was the largest church in Tiflis until it was demolished circa 1930. The church was built in brick in the 14th century, restored in 1480, and more...
- Vera St. Cross
- Geghardavanq - Krnanis Tsiranavor St. Astvatsatsin
- Jigrasheni Avetyats church
- Dzorabash St. Gevorg
- Zrkinyants St. GevorgZrkinyants St. GevorgZrkinyants St. Gevorg was an Armenian Apostolic church in Tbilisi, Georgia. It was destroyed in 1937-38 by order of Lavrentiy Beria along with 10 other churches in Tbilisi.-History:...
- Kamoyants St. GevorgKamoyants St. GevorgKamoyants St. Gevorg was an Armenian Apostolic church in Tbilisi, Georgia. It was destroyed in 1937-38 by order of Lavrentiy Beria along with 10 other churches in Tbilisi.-History:...
- Qarap St. GevorgChurch of Saint George, Old TbilisiThe Church of Saint George is an 18th century church at the foot of the Narikala citadel in Old Tbilisi, Georgia. The church is single-naved and was built in 1753. Originally an Armenian Apostolic Church, the church has been appropriated by the Georgian Orthodox Church since the early 1990s...
- Kuky St. Astvatsatin
- Mughni St. GevorgSaint Gevorg of Mughni Church, TbilisiThe Saint Gevorg of Mughni Church also known as Saint George of Mughni Church is a 13th century Armenian church in Tbilisi, Georgia that was entirely rebuilt in 1756...
- Navtlukh St. Gevorg
- Ejmiatsnetsots St. Gevorg - Nor EjmiatsinEjmiatsin Church, TbilisiThe Ejmiatsin Church is an 18th century historical Armenian church in the Avlabari district of Old Tbilisi, Georgia. The church is adjacent to the Avlabari Square.- See also :* Church of the Red Gospel, a nearby 18th century Armenian church...
- St. Gevorg
- St. Grigor Lusavorich
- St. Karapet
- St. Minas (church)
- St. NshanChurch of the Holy Seal, TbilisiThe Church of the Holy Seal is an 18th century Armenian church in Old Tbilisi, Georgia. It was built between 1703 and 1711, and reconstructed in 1780.- External links :*...
- St. Sargis
- St. Stepanots (Kusanots)Church of Saint Stepanos of the Holy VirginsThe Lower Bethlemi Church The Lower Bethlemi Church The Lower Bethlemi Church (also known as Church of Saint Stepanos of the Holy Virgins – is a 14th–19th century Georgian Orthodox church at the foot of the Narikala fortress in Old Tbilisi, Georgia. It was rebuilt between 1868 and 1870, and was...
- Tandoyants St. Astvatsatsin
- Hreshtakapetats
- Chugureti St. AstvatsatsinChugureti St. AstvatsatsinChugureti St. Astvatsatsin Church is an Armenian church in Chugureti district, Old Tbilisi, Georgia.-History:Chugureti St. Astvatsatsin church is not mentioned in old Tbilisi sources and documentation. It is included in the city plan in 1825 already, as well as in a list of Armenian churches of...
- Shamkoretsots Karmir AvetaranChurch of the Red Gospel, TbilisiThe Church of the Red Gospel or Shamkoretsots Sourb Astvatsatsin Church is a ruined 18th century Armenian church in the Avlabar district of Old Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia....
In 1916, the Province of Tiflis had a population of 1,473,000, among whom Armenians numbered 411,000, Shi'a Muslims (mostly Azeri Tatars and some Persians) 39,000, Sunni Muslims (Tatars and Turks) 129,000, Kurds (Muslim and Yezidi) 56,000, Russians 150,000, Georgians 580,000, and other Christians (Catholics, Protestants, etc.) 18,000.
Under Tsarist Rule, the city of Tiflis became the center of Russian rule for the whole viceroyalty of Caucasia. During the 19th century, Tiflis became the center of the Eastern Armenian renaissance and an Armenian cultural center second only to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
.
Until recently the neighborhoods of Havlabar and the area across the river were very heavily Armenian. The older Armenian neighborhood of Tbilisi, on both sides of the river between Freedom Square and Havlabar carry Armenian names, including Tumanyan, Abovian, Akopian, Alikhanian, Sundukian, Yerevan, Ararat and Sevan.
The Diocese Church (the Saint Gevorg Church
St. George's Armenian Apostolic Church, Tbilisi
The Cathedral of Saint George is a 13th century Armenian church in Old Tbilisi, Georgia and is the seat of the Armenian archbishop. It is dedicated to Saint George .- Location :...
) in Tbilisi where the Armenian primate of Tbilisi sits is very close to the city fortress. In front of the church is the tomb of the famous Armenian Georgian bard, Sayat-Nova
Sayat-Nova
Sayat-Nova Sayat-Nova Sayat-Nova (born as Harutyun Sayatyan , was an Armenian poet, musician and ashik who had compositions in a number of languages. His adopted name Sayat Nova meant "Master of Songs" in Persian.- Biography :...
(An author of poems in Armenian, Georgian and Turkish). In Havlabar, the other Armenian Church of Echmiadzin is undergoing renovation and reconstruction. The "Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi
Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi
The Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi also as Khojavank or Khojivank is a historical Armenian architectural complex in north-eastern part of Havlabar district of Tbilisi, Georgia, consisting of huge memorial cemetery and St. Astvatsatsin church...
" has the tombs of many famous Armenians including writers Hovhannes Tumanyan
Hovhannes Tumanyan
Hovhannes Tumanyan , is considered to be one of the greatest Armenian poets and writers. His work was mostly written in tragic form, often centering on the harsh lives of villagers in the Lori region.-Biography:...
and Raffi
Raffi (poet)
Hakob Melik Hakobian , better known by his pen name Raffi , is a renowned Armenian author born in 1835 in Payajouk, an Armenian village situated in the Salmas province in Persia. He died in 1888 in Tiflis...
.
Freedom Square was once officially Paskevich Yerevanski Square, or commonly Yerevan Square, then Lenin Square. Paskevich Erevanski was a Russian general and was called Paskevich of Yerevan in honor of his taking of Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
from İrevan khanat for the Russian Empire.
Armenian theatre was established as early as 1858 by the great Armenian theatre figure Gevork Chmshkian. The first staging was "Adji Souleyman" performance. In 1936 it was rebuilt and the new theatre was renamed Stepan Shahumian Armenian Theatre. A number of generations of great Armenian actors have performed on its stage. Music for theatre pieces were often written by Aram Khachaturian
Aram Khachaturian
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian was a prominent Soviet composer. Khachaturian's works were often influenced by classical Russian music and Armenian folk music...
, Armen Tigranian, Alexander Spendiarian, Gourgen Shakhbazian and others. Nowadays Petros Adamian Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre is the main cultural center of Georgian-Armenian community of Tbilisi and it continues the work of the great predecessors.
In 2005 the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in Georgia initialized erecting a khachkar
Khachkar
A khachkar or khatchkar is a carved, cross-bearing, memorial stele covered with rosettes and other botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art found in Armenia.-Description:...
(cross-stone memorial) in Tbilisi in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
.
Armenian sites
There are still two working Armenian Churches in the city, and an Armenian Theatre. The Armenian PantheonArmenian Pantheon of Tbilisi
The Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi also as Khojavank or Khojivank is a historical Armenian architectural complex in north-eastern part of Havlabar district of Tbilisi, Georgia, consisting of huge memorial cemetery and St. Astvatsatsin church...
, where prominent Armenians are buried has the tombs of some of Armenian's favorite personalities ever, including Raffi and Hovhannes Tumanyan
Hovhannes Tumanyan
Hovhannes Tumanyan , is considered to be one of the greatest Armenian poets and writers. His work was mostly written in tragic form, often centering on the harsh lives of villagers in the Lori region.-Biography:...
. The adjacent Armenian cemetery was taken over by the Georgian Church and their new national cathedral was built upon it (please confirm). The remaining space in between the Pantheon and the new Georgian cathedral is now the construction site of what appears to be a Georgian Seminary. Again, the Armenian tombs here are being ignored, and human bones are being moved around like dirt.
A number of Armenian churches have been confiscated by the Georgian State/Church as documented by the United States State Department: "The Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches have been unable to secure the return of churches and other facilities closed during the Soviet period, many of which later were given to the Georgian Orthodox Church by the State. The prominent Armenian church in Tbilisi, Norashen, remained closed, as did four other smaller Armenian churches in Tbilisi and one in Akhaltsikhe. In addition, the Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches, as with Protestant denominations, have had difficulty obtaining permission to construct new churches due to pressure from the GOC."
The older Armenian neighborhood of Tbilisi, on both sides of the river between Freedom Square and Havlabar has a some streets with Armenian names, including Tumanian, Abovian, Akopian, Alikhanian, Sundukian, Yerevan, Ararat and Sevan. Some other names which may or may not be Armenian (I cannot tell) include L. Asathian, Sh. Dadian.
Churches
Cathedral of Saint GeorgeThis church is where the primate of Tbilisi has his offices. Near the baths, under the fortress. In front of the church is the tomb of the famous bard, Sayat Nova.
Ejmiatsin Church
Ejmiatsin Church, Tbilisi
The Ejmiatsin Church is an 18th century historical Armenian church in the Avlabari district of Old Tbilisi, Georgia. The church is adjacent to the Avlabari Square.- See also :* Church of the Red Gospel, a nearby 18th century Armenian church...
(not to be confused with the main Ejmiatsin Church in Armenia)
The Ejmiatsin Church is an 18th century Armenian church in the Havlabar
district of Old Tbilisi
Old Tbilisi
Old Tbilisi is an administrative district in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. Although the term "Old Tbilisi" has long been used to denote a historical part of the city, it was only in 2007 that it became a distinct administrative entity to incorporate several historical neighborhoods formerly...
. The church is adjacent to the Avlabari Square.
Norashen Church
Norashen Church, Tbilisi
Norashen Holy Mother of God Church or Norashen Sourb Astvatzatzin Church is a 15th century Armenian church in Old Tbilisi, Georgia. It was founded in 1467 and renovated in 1650. It also underwent renovations later in 1795, 1808, and 1875...
Norashen Church is located on Leselidze Street, flanked on the left by a Greek church, now transformed into a Georgian orthodox one, on the right by the Georgian Church Sioni and a few more meters further down the synagogue the mosque.
Norashen was founded in 1467 and renovated in 1650 by Nazar. At this time, the great cupola was rebuilt by Master Petros. A series of renovations followed in 1795, 1808 and in 1875. The Lidatamashian and Vartanov families and Katarina Pridonian are buried next to the Church. During the Soviet era, the church was transformed into an archive.
There is a 17 year old conflict relating to Norashen Church, one of the Armenian churches in Tbilisi. A Georgian priest has been waging a destructive campaign to erase any evidence of the church having been Armenian and negotiations over the fate of the church continue. The Archbishops Garegin and Grigoris came from Armenia to Tbilisi, where they met with Iliad II, the Georgian Patriarch and it was decided to stop all actions until the advent of better times. The church has been closed since.
Belltower
Saint Gevorg of Mughni Church
Saint Gevorg of Mughni Church, Tbilisi
The Saint Gevorg of Mughni Church also known as Saint George of Mughni Church is a 13th century Armenian church in Tbilisi, Georgia that was entirely rebuilt in 1756...
This Armenian church with a tin roof and blue glazed crosses is under the control of the Georgian church and is about to crumble (as of November, 2006).
Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem
Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem, Tbilisi
Holy Mother of God Church of Bethlehem is a Georgian orthodox church in Tbilisi, Georgia, that was rebuilt in stone in the 18th century.- History :...
This church has been restored as a Georgian Orthodox Church. Has an Armenian inscription on the side.
Surb Stepanos Convent
The crypt/tomb of a wealthy Armenian benfactor has been destroyed.
Karap Surb George Church
Small Armenian Church now being used as a Georgian Church. Karap is the name of the neighborhood, meaning Stoneside (Kar-ap, the neighborhood abuts stone mountainside).
Church of the Holy Seal
Church of the Holy Seal, Tbilisi
The Church of the Holy Seal is an 18th century Armenian church in Old Tbilisi, Georgia. It was built between 1703 and 1711, and reconstructed in 1780.- External links :*...
This Armenian Church of 1701 has green roof tiles and blue crosses on the side. It is in very critical condition. It was filled with books, but a fire burned them and the floor is still littered with the remains. The Armenian Church is still not allowed to use this property. Many Armenian inscriptions, graves and some khachkars remain. Most of the graves outside have been swallowed up by the garages of neighboring houses.
Surb Minas Basilica
Small old basilica in Havlabar which may have been Armenian. Was used as a small production/factory space during Soviet times, thus the green and white interior paint.
Surb Marine Church
Small old church in Havlabar which may have been Armenian.
Church of the Red Gospel
Church of the Red Gospel, Tbilisi
The Church of the Red Gospel or Shamkoretsots Sourb Astvatsatsin Church is a ruined 18th century Armenian church in the Avlabar district of Old Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia....
Massive Armenian church located in Havlabar, 1 block from the metro (away from the new Georgian Cathedral). Numerous Armenian inscriptions. Said to have been blown up in 1989 by Georgian nationalists.
Petros Adamian Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre
Bolshevik
The Bolsheviks, originally also Bolshevists , derived from bol'shinstvo, "majority") were a faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party which split apart from the Menshevik faction at the Second Party Congress in 1903....
Stepan Shahumian. The first performance was Mkrtich (Nikita) Djanan's performance "Shahname". Here worked Petros Adamian
Petros Adamian
Petros Heronimosi Adamian was an outstanding Armenian actor, poet, writer, artist and public figure. According to the Russian critics, his interpretations of Hamlet and Othello put Adamian's name among the best tragedians of the world.-Biography:...
, Siranoush (Merobe Kantarjian), Vahram Papazian, Hovhannes Abelian
Hovhannes Abelian
Hovhannes Harutyuni Abelian was an Armenian actor, People's Artist of Armenian SSR .- Biography :Since 1882, he worked in Armenian and Russian theatres of Baku and Tiflis...
, Olga Maysourian, Isaac Alikhanian, Mariam Mojorian, Artem and Maria Beroians, Artem Lusinian, Babken Nersesian, Darius Amirbekian, Ashot Kadjvorian, Emma Stepanian, Armenian directors: Arshak Bourdjalian, Leon Kalantar, Stepan Kapanakian, Alexander Abarian, Ferdinand Bzhikian, Hayk Umikian, Mickael Grigorian, Ivan Karapetian, Roman Chaltikian, Roman Matiashvili, Robert Yegian. Music for theatres often was written by Aram Khachaturian
Aram Khachaturian
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian was a prominent Soviet composer. Khachaturian's works were often influenced by classical Russian music and Armenian folk music...
, Armen Tigranian
Armen Tigranian
Armen Tigranian was an Armenian music composer and conductor. His best-known works were two national operas, Anoush and Davit Bek ; the latter of which premiered only months before his death and was his final composition...
, Alexander Spendiarian, and others.
Nowadays Peter Adamian Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre is the main spiritual and public center of Georgian-Armenian community.
Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi
The large Armenian cemetery of Khojavank was destroyed in order to build Tbilisi's huge new Georgian cathedral. It was done against the wishes of the Armenian community, leaving only one small, far removed section where some of the most famous Armenians in history are buried.Adjacent to the huge new Georgian cathedral, but very hard to access (you must go past it, then back over a bridge, near the big antenna). The Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi
Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi
The Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi also as Khojavank or Khojivank is a historical Armenian architectural complex in north-eastern part of Havlabar district of Tbilisi, Georgia, consisting of huge memorial cemetery and St. Astvatsatsin church...
has the tombs of many famous Armenians including Hovhannes Tumanyan
Hovhannes Tumanyan
Hovhannes Tumanyan , is considered to be one of the greatest Armenian poets and writers. His work was mostly written in tragic form, often centering on the harsh lives of villagers in the Lori region.-Biography:...
and Raffi. Most of the tombstones were removed in 2002 and replaced with uniform black squares with names and dates.
Freedom Square
Once formally known as Paskevich Yerevanski Square, then Lenin Square, it was commonly called Yerevan Square. Paskevich Erevanski was a Russian general and was called Paskevich of Yerevan in honor of his taking of Yerevan for the Russian Empire. Abutting the north side of Freedom Square is a small open space with a fountain. Buried between the bust of Pushkin and the fountain is Kamo (Simon Ter-Petrossian). Kamo was once a celebrated communist, but now his grave has been paved over and is unmarked.Armenian Street Names
The heavily Armenian old neighborhoods of Tbilisi still have many Armenian street names, though some have been changed over time. Leselidze Street was once called Armenian Bazaar Street.Armenian Genocide khachkar
In February 2005 the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in Georgia initialized erecting a khachkarKhachkar
A khachkar or khatchkar is a carved, cross-bearing, memorial stele covered with rosettes and other botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art found in Armenia.-Description:...
(cross-stone memorial) in Tbilisi in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
. Thousands of genocide refugees resided in various parts of Georgia after 1915. Armenian Cooperation Centre of Georgia supported that initiation with gathering of necessary funds and organizing preparation of the monument. By February 2006 the monument is technically ready to be erected, but the Diocese still didn't receive the answer to its request.
See also
- Armenians in AbkhaziaArmenians in AbkhaziaThe Armenians in Abkhazia form the second largest ethnic group in the region of Abkhazia after the Abkhaz. Armenians settled in Abkhazia in late 19th and the early 20th centuries and are now the largest ethnic group in Gagra, Sukhumi and Gulripsh districts forming 20% of the Abkhazian population...
- Armenians in Samtskhe-JavakhetiArmenians in Samtskhe-JavakhetiArmenians in Samtskhe-Javakheti are ethnic Armenians of Georgian nationality living in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of the Republic of Georgia, which borders the Republic of Armenia to the south and where ethnic Armenians form the great majority of the population with minority Georgians and...
- Armenians in GeorgiaArmenians in GeorgiaArmenians in Georgia are ethnic Armenians living within the country of Georgia. Armenians are the second largest ethnic minority in Georgia at about 5.7% of the population. The Armenian community is mostly concentrated in the capital Tbilisi and the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, which borders Armenia...
- Armenian National Council of TiflisArmenian National Council of TiflisArmenian National Council in Tiflis was a representative body of the Armenians residing on the Georgian territory. It was established in October, 1917 at the All-Armenian Congress of Eastern Armenians. The Council had departments for military affairs, health, refugees' affairs and education...
- St. George's Armenian Apostolic Church, TbilisiSt. George's Armenian Apostolic Church, TbilisiThe Cathedral of Saint George is a 13th century Armenian church in Old Tbilisi, Georgia and is the seat of the Armenian archbishop. It is dedicated to Saint George .- Location :...