Foreign Literature Proving the Armenian Identity of Dadivank: Diocese of Artsakh

The ancientness and Armenian identity of Dadivank are affirmed by the inscriptions preserved on the walls of the monastery and the ancient khachkars located in its vicinity. This was stated by the Diocese of Artsakh of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

There is historical information and evidence regarding the construction of the monastery found in various foreign literature and scholarly works. The Orthodox Encyclopedia published under the blessing and editing of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, features details about the construction of Dadivank, the origin of its name, and the Armenian sanctuary that has withstood assaults and devastations throughout the centuries.

The work includes detailed historical facts and descriptions concerning the buildings located within the monastic complex.

In 2014, the process of restoring the murals of Dadivank began, led by architect Ara Zaryan and restorer Kristin Lamoure from Italy, continuing until 2017. The specialists presented their findings in a book titled “Conservation Restoration of the 1297 Murals of the Cathedral Built in 1214.” The book commences with the history and description of Dadivank, followed by results and discoveries from the specialists’ efforts.

As a result of the extensive work undertaken by the specialists, the historical scenes of the murals inside the Saint Cathedral became clear, confirming the painted murals' specific date of 1297. This is evidenced by the three-line Armenian inscription located immediately at the lower part of a window on the southern wall of the church, which reads: ЧԽԶ (Ч=700; Խ=40; Զ=6, therefore 746+551=1297).

The specialists have cleaned and restored the murals on the northern and southern walls of the church, where scenes depicting the consecration of Saint Nicholas the Miracle Worker and the stoning of Saint Stephen Protomartyr are illustrated. The restoration of the murals has revealed a number of inscriptions that characterize these scenes.