Restoration of the 17th Century Icon of Zoravor St. Astvatsatsin Church

As part of its commitment to preserving Armenia’s cultural and spiritual heritage, the Amaryan Charitable Foundation supported the restoration of the icon on the lintel of the western entrance of Zoravor St. Astvatsatsin Church. Scientific and methodological research began in 2024, and the actual restoration work was carried out in 2025, reaching completion in the summer of the same year.

Zoravor St. Astvatsatsin Church is one of the oldest standing churches in Yerevan. Rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1679, it continues to serve an active community of about 300 people. The icon, attributed to Naghash Hovnatan, is one of the church’s unique treasures, bearing exceptional historical and artistic value. The restoration was conducted in accordance with the methodology approved by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, and included the cleaning of soot and encrusted dirt layers, reinforcement of damaged areas, and careful color retouching to preserve the authenticity of the work.

As a result of the restoration, detailed images of the icon were revealed, including Christ’s Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mary with the Child Christ holding the Holy Cross, portrayals of St. Stephen the Protomartyr and St. John the Baptist. Together, these emphasize the salvific power of the Cross and present Christianity as the true and universal faith.