One of the most ancient churches in Yerevan, the Church of Surb Zoravor (Holy Zoravor), was originally known as Surb Astvatsatsin, or the Holy Mother of God. The church later took the name Surb Zoravor, meaning “Holy Powerful,” in honor of a revered ancient Gospel manuscript once kept within its walls, known as the Zoravor Gospel. This sacred site was built in the Shaar district of Old Yerevan, on the spot where a chapel once stood, erected over the tomb of Saint Ananias, one of the Seventy Apostles.
According to historical accounts, Archimandrite Movses Syunetsi relocated from Echmiadzin to Yerevan and settled near the chapel of Saint Ananias. With the generous support of the local residents, he established a monastic complex at the beginning of the 17th century. The ensemble included a church, a jamatoon (narthex), the bishop’s residence, monks’ cells, and a monastic school, all enclosed within protective walls. Set into the church’s walls at various heights are intricately carved khachkars—stone crosses—dating back to the 17th century, lending both historical and artistic value to the sacred architecture. Among the church’s most treasured features is a fresco of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, painted by the eminent Armenian artist Naghash Hovnatan.
The original monastic complex underwent a complete reconstruction under Catholicos Pilipos between 1632 and 1635. However, this structure was entirely destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 1679. The current Church of Surb Zoravor was rebuilt on the same site in 1693, thanks to a generous donation from a wealthy Yerevan resident, Khoja Phanos. Inscriptions dating from 1793, a century after the church’s reconstruction, confirm that restoration efforts took place during the tenure of Catholicos Ghukas.
Architecturally, the Church of Surb Zoravor belongs to the type of three-nave, dome-less basilicas. East of the jamatoon lies the main altar, flanked by two sacristies on its northern and southern sides. Both the interior and exterior are marked by solemn simplicity. The outer walls bear stone-carved khachkars, further emphasizing the church’s deep connection to Armenia’s religious heritage.
During the lifetime of Khoja Phanos, the chapel could be accessed directly from within the church. However, in 1890, the chapel was separated from the main structure. A dome was added, and a new entrance was opened from the outside, giving the chapel its own distinct identity.
After years of secular use during the Soviet era, the Church of Surb Zoravor was finally returned to the faithful. In the 1970s, under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, the church underwent extensive restoration. The semi-ruined walls and roof were repaired, and a choir gallery was added to enhance the church’s liturgical functions. The Chapel of Saint Ananias was also restored to its former dignity. These restoration efforts, along with the beautification of the surrounding grounds, were made possible thanks to the charitable contributions of Sarkis Petrosyan, a French-Armenian benefactor devoted to the spiritual legacy of Holy Echmiadzin.
