1/3 Buzand Str., Yerevan 0010, RA
On May 8, at the Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage, a lecture was held dedicated to the completion of the restoration works of the St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker Russian Church in Amrakits village, Lori region.
The event began with the opening remarks of Khachik Harutyunyan, Director of the Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage. He introduced the theme of the day: the restoration of the St. Nicholas Church in Amrakits, which has recently sparked heated public debate, particularly regarding its colour scheme.
Restoration architect Andranik Sargsyan, the speaker of the day, presented the results of nearly four years of meticulous research and construction work commissioned by the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. The report focused on the architectural solutions that made it possible to restore the structural stability and colour integrity of the monument.
Addressing the controversial colour choices, the speaker clarified that the choices are based exclusively on scientific facts. The blue tints of the walls and the green tones of the roof were confirmed both by preserved archival photographs and by preliminary traces of the original paint found on the layers of the monument. Restoring of the original colours is a matter of professional integrity aimed at preventing the distortion of historical facts.
Regarding the surroundings, the tree removal in the adjacent area was a professional necessity. Tree roots had penetrated beneath the church’s foundations, causing constant moisture and structural decay. For the preservation of the monument and the safety of visitors, they were removed. Today, the area features a new lawn, and new trees have been planted at a safe distance from the monument, ensuring they do not obstruct the visual perception of the church or damage its foundations.
The event was attended by leading experts in the field, including Harutyun Vanyan, Head of the Department of Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments, restoration architect Hovhannes Sanamyan, archaeologists, architects, as well as students and interested citizens. The lecture was followed by a lively discussion, where participants were particularly interested in the details of the interior decoration, the restoration of icons, and the reinforcement of the foundations. Experts highly praised the work, stating that this unique monument of Amrakits has been saved, and its historical appearance has been restored.
