Drazark monastery
| Drazark monastery Դրազարկ վանք |
|
|---|---|
| Basic information | |
| Location |  |
| Geographic coordinates | 37°39′50″N 35°48′31″E / 37.6640°N 35.8085°ECoordinates: 37°39′50″N 35°48′31″E / 37.6640°N 35.8085°E |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| State | Turkey |
| Province | Adana province |
| Region | Mediterranean |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Destroyed in 1915 |
| Status | Ceased functioning as a monastery in 1915 |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Armenian |
| Completed | 1100 A.D. |
Drazark monastery (Armenian: Դրազարկ վանք), a destroyed monastic complex of Armenian Apostolic Church in Adana province of modern Turkey, which lies about 24 km. north of the city of Sis - historical capital of Cilician Armenia, at one of inaccessible slopes of Cilician Taurus range (middle part of the Taurus Mountains).
Drazark in Armenian language directly means knock on the door. But beside Drazark the monastery was known by some other names:
Summarizing recollections on Drazark frequently met numerous words like "big, inhabited by angels, notable, extremely outstanding" and similar characterizations which allows to suggest, this was a great monastic complex. Drazark consisted of 5 churches. Main church standing in the middle was called Surb Astvatzatzin (Armenian: Սուրբ Աստվածածին) that in Armenian language means Holy Virgin. Another 4 churches were attached to it by forming a cross:
The date the monastery was founded is unknown, but the first mention refers to the 10th century AD. At the start of the 12th century (1100–1129) Prince Toros I restored the monastery, turned it to Cilician Roubenid mausoleum and an educational center. There was also bishop's residence of the capital Sis. Construction was headed by persons who came upon the invitation of Prince Toros I. They were Gevorg Meghrik Vaspurakantsi (Armenian: Գևորգ Մեղրիկ Վասպուրականցի) (George Meghrik from Vaspurakan) and Kirakos Gitnakan (Armenian: Կիրակոս Գիտնական) (Kirakos the Scientist). After the request of the prince these persons remained there and in (1050–1121) period they launched an exuberant educational activity, made numerous handwritten books and manuscripts for the monks brotherhood, developed a regulations whereby the monks must be occupied by reading and copying the manuscripts. They have proofread the "Apostles' Act" (Armenian: Գործք առաքելոց) after translation from Greek, interpretation of St. John's Gospel (Armenian: Հովհաննեսի Ավետարան), completed a "Celebrating" (Armenian: Տոնական գիրք) and "Lunch" (Armenian: Ճաշոց գիրք) books, translated several codexes and testimonies. At 1114 (after the death of archimandrite Gevorg Meghrik) as a new leader was elected the archimandrite Kirakos Gitnakan. Years later, the monastery of Drazark headed an archimandrite Barseh - personality endowed with special privileges. It was followed an archimandrite Samuel (1178–1181). At the coronation of King Levon II also attended the leader of Drazark monastery archibishop Hovannes which was also archibishop of Sis in 1198–1219 period. Many notable personalities of the time acted in Drazark monastery, such as Vardan Aygektsi, Arakel Hnazandents, Barseh Gitnavor, Konstantin Lambronatsi at whose time the monastery became target to enemies (1305). Within the walls of Drazark monastery studied such a masters of medieval written language as Hovhannes Arqayeghbayr (1220–1289)(junior brother of the King Hetum I), Sargis Pitsak and some others. The monsatery was also famed by its high level of musical education. Toros P'ilisop'a (the Philosopher) and Hovsep Yerazhisht were the illustrious heads of the monastic musicians. Drazark monastery had a reputation of high quality of teaching the languages and there always encouraged overall development for its pupils. Inside of the monastery trained the diplomats for the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. For example Toros Philosopher was subsequently a statesman of Cilician Armenia. At the time of Levon 3 (1269–89) and Hetum 2 (1289–1307), Toros Philosopher served as ambassador of Cilician Armenia in kingdom of England. Monastery of Drazark remained standing even after the demise of Cilician Armenia. It was functioning even in dark period of the Seljukid and Ottoman rulers for Cilician Armenians in next several centuries. At the time of Cilician Massacre the monastery were plundered and ceased functioning, as its priests were murdered by Turks. Eventually the monastery of Drazark ceased to exist during the Armenian Genocide. It shared the fate of millions Armenians and fell victim to Turks.
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