FOUNDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY.

Church construction: The village of Arakova is one of the central settlements of Javakhk. It is located 7 km north of Akhalkalaki in a straight line. The village's St. George (Surb Gevorg) Church founded in the 1830s, was one of the most notable structures of its time. The first mentions of the church date back to 1840[1]-1841[2]. Rev. Father Grigor is mentioned as a priest.[3] According to another report of the Diocese of Georgia and Imereti of the Armenian Apostolic Church from the same year, at that time the village had a wooden parish church and 354 parishioners.[4]

Reconstructions: The church was completely rebuilt with funds provided by Priest Grigor Ter-Avetisyan, following the design of architect Grigor Kirakosyan, who had emigrated from Karin to Abastuman. The church stood on 12 pillars, each engraved with images of the apostles.[5] However, in the 1890s, the church was closed due to its age, as noted in contemporary press reports.[6] The church underwent major renovations in 1903-1905 and was solemnly consecrated in 1909.[7]

Architecture: The church is built of gray basalt and belongs to the cross-domed type. The overall dimensions are 24,21x13,44 m. The artistic and spatial design incorporates horizontally elongated elements characteristic of Gothic architecture, such as elongated triangular windows. The church has three entrances: from the north, west, and south, which are opened at a height of three steps. The octagonal dome made of black and red tuff is located on the eastern side of the roof. The belfry is located in the western part of the temple. The roof of the church is covered with tin. The walls inside are plastered and painted. The Holy Altar is located in the eastern part of the building, with sacristies on the right and left. The hall is divided into three naves. The baptismal font is located on the north wall.

Priests: Among the priests of St. George church in the village of Arakova were Rev. Father Grigor Ter-Avetisyan, Rev. Father Karapet Davtyan[8], Rev. Father Grigor Ter-Karapetyan[9] and others.

School: By the 1860s, the village had a parish school. According to the 1869 school report of the Diocese of Georgia and Imereti of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the school was founded by priest Grigor Ter-Avetisyan in the church vestibule.[10] In 1885, the school was closed and turned into a warehouse. The Russian royal school continued to operate in the village.[11]

Cemetery: Spread across the churchyard. 19th-century tombstones have been preserved there.[12]

Old Church: The remains of an early medieval ruined church are preserved north of the new church. [13]

The Church in the Soviet and Post-Soviet Periods: In the 1930s, by the decision of the Soviet authorities, the church was closed and turned into a warehouse, and the priest was forcibly exiled.

The Church and Its Reconsecration: In 2000, thanks to the generosity of former Arakova villagers living in Moscow, including the late Meruzhan Tutunjyan, and the dedicated efforts of the local population, the collapsed dome of the church was restored, and the surrounding area was thoroughly renovated.

On October 28, 2006, with the blessing and high order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, and with the participation of Prelate of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka’s General Prelacy, Rev. Father Babgen Salbiyan, as well as the local clergy, St. George church was reconsecrated and again opened its doors to the faithful.[14]

On June 10, 2017, the newly built Holy Altar of St. George church, built with the funds of former Arakova resident Armen Yaylakhanyan, was consecrated.

Today, the “Khrimyan Hayrik” Preschool operates adjacent to the St. George church, where children from Arakova and neighboring villages receive their spiritual education.[15]

Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia

Armenian Historical and Cultural Heritage Study Center in Georgi

[1] NAA,, ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3800, թ. 4-ի շրջ.:

[2] NAA,, ֆ. 56, ց. 1, գ. 1005, թ. 1:

[3] In the same place, թ. 22:

[4] NAA, ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3802 (part 1), թ. 63-ի շրջ.-64:

[5] S. Karapetyan, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2006, p 86

[6] «Nor Dar»1896, N 201, p 3; Mshak, 1901, N 98, p 3:

[7] S. Karapetyan, in the same place

[8] NAA,, ֆ. 53, ց. 2, գ. 715, թ. 2:

[9] NAA,, ֆ. 53, ց. 2, գ. 743, թ. 3:

[10] NAA,, ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3977, թ. 55-ի շրջ.-56:

[11] S. Karapetyan, in the same place, p 85-86

[12] S. Karapetyan, in the same place, p 88

[13] S. Karapetyan, in the same place

[14] Etchmiadzin, 2006, Ժ-ԺԱ, p 144:

[15] Press Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia