The Only Resident of the Border Village of Norshen is 83-Year-Old Vahandukht

The border village of Norshen (Kharkov) in the Shirak region is separated from the ancient city of Ani by the Akhuryan River. Access to this border village is restricted; one needs permission from Russian border guards to enter, and obtaining passes is a lengthy process, according to Shantnews.am.

The news outlet notes that the villagers constructed the Tukh Manuk church in the early 19th century, modeled after one of the churches in Ani, using a blend of black and red local tuff stones. The Artavazd Asatryans family left the village in the 1970s, citing the border regime as a primary yet not the sole reason for leaving their home. However, they often visit their native village and know too well the marks of indifference left on what was once a thriving community.

Aside from the intricately carved cross-stones transported from Kharkov, there is another unique black cross-stone placed in the baptismal site, which studies suggest resembles fifth-century architecture. It is said that the church's columns were also brought from Sarighamish, of which some have already decayed while others still securely support the wooden structure of the church's roof.

The only guardian of this abandoned village and its ruined church is Vahandukht, who became a bride in the village from Sardarapat in the 1950s. Despite the absence of liturgies and prayers, she maintains the tradition of lighting candles every Sunday in the only shrine of the village. Fifteen years ago, the village's name was changed to Norshen, but the sunlight and fertile lands of Kharkov have not returned the previous residents.

Today, Vahandukht's home is the only remaining vibrant shelter in Norshen. The 83-year-old woman honors her mother-in-law's legacy by staying in the village, keeping the flame of the village alive in front of the ancient fort of Ani. "When the Lord is within me, what can I say, the village was once prosperous, there were people, and it was a warm place," the guardian of the village sadly remarks.

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