St Astvatsatsin or Yot Verq (Seven Wounds) Church

Located on the northern part of the square the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God is a 19th century church. The church is named “ Seven Wounds” after Virgin Mary’s Seven sorrows which are:

1. The prophecy of Simeon
2. The flight into Egypt
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple
4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion
6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross
7. The burial of Jesus

The church belongs to the Cruciform style of the Armenian churches with an external rectangular shape. The belfry is located at the top of the main entrance on the western side of the building.

During the soviet period there were only 2 churches open in Armeni: one was Ejmiatsin Cathedral and the other one the Seven Wounds church. The one altar served for catholic believer, and the other one for russian belivers. That’s how the church united  all believers in the city.

After devastating Earthquake in 1988 the 2 minor domes fell down and they were replaced with new ones. You can see the fallen domes  currently placed in the church yard.