Baghdasar Arzoumanian

Infobox Architect
name = Baghdasar Arzoumanian

|thumb

nationality = Armenia
birth_date = January 1, 1916
birth_place = v. Bardzravan, Armenia
current residence =
death_date = November 19, 2001
death_place = Yerevan, Armenia
practice_name =
significant_buildings= Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury Museum, Holy Trinity Church in Yerevan
significant_projects =
significant_design = Golden Alphabet, Golden Cross
awards = "St. Gregory the Illuminator" medal,Golden Medal of the Academy of Arts of the USSR (1991)|

Baghdasar Arzoumanian (born 1916, v. Bardzravan, Armenia, _hy. Բաղդասար Արզումանյան, also Bagdasar, Baghdik, Bagdik, Arzumanian, Arzumanyan) was an Armenian architect and designer based in Yerevan, Armenia. He is author of an immense architectural heritage of civil and church buildings and design works.

Education & Background

Baghdasar Arzoumanian was born in v. Bardzravan (former Mazra) of Syunik, Armenia. During 1928-1936 he studied at the Technical School after Alexander Tamanyan. In 1938 he was admitted to Constructions Departments of the Institute for Polytechnical Sciences of Yerevan. In 1942 he was recruited to the Soviet army and took part in the whole World War II. He served in the Army until 1946 and came back to Yerevan to continue his studies. He graduated from the Institute in 1949.During his professional career he worked with "Yerevan Project" Institute and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and provided his valuable input in the Armenian Architecture of the 20th century.He died on November 19, 2001 in Yerevan. Bishop Paren Avetikian visited the family of the architect to present the condolences of the Mother See of Holy Ecthmiadzin and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians [See [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8d/Letter_from_Bishop_Paren_Avetikian_on_the_Occasion_of_Death_of_Baghdasar_Arzoumanian.jpgthe letter of Bishop Paren Avetikian to the Family of Baghdasar Arzoumanian] .] .

Civil Buildings

Arzoumanian is author of many civil buildings in Armenia. Below is the list of most important buildings:
* Central Square of the city of Vanadzor (coauthor: Hovhannes Margarian)
* Erebuni Museum (coauthor: Shmavon Azatian)
* Metro Station "David of Sasoun", _hy. Սասունցի Դավիթ (coauthors: Sargis Nersisian and Areg Israyelian)
* Degustation Hall of the Yerevan Brandy Factory (coauthors: Sargis Nersisian and Hasmik Alexanian)

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author of a number of memorials dedicated to the victory in the World War II that are located in various parts of Armenia.

ervice to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Early Works

* Vanatoon (Monastic Residence) - 1978
* Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum - 1982 [See [http://66.208.37.78/index.jsp?sid=1&id=106&pid=24 Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum] ] Alex Manoogian, the president of Armenian General Benevolent Union and benefactor of the museum, expressed his warm gratefulness for the realization of the wonderful project [See [https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/
] .

Design Works

Along with his architectural works, Baghdasar Arzoumanian left a remarkable heritage of design works, some of which a are considered the crowns of the design thought of the 20th century Armenia.

Khachkars and Memorials

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author of many khachkars and memorials. Many of them are located on the Grounds of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (i.e. Motherland-Diaspora Memorial).He is also the author of memorial in the Monastery of Geghard, memorial and khachkars next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese.

Jewelery Works

The Golden Alphabet (1976) and the Golden Cross (1979) of Baghdasar Arzoumanian are very famous all over Armenia and symbolise its past and present. These works are kept in the Pontifical Residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians.Among other works are the following:
* State Emblem of the Soviet Armenia (1981)
* Souvenir dedicated to the 30th year of service of His Holiness Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians (1985)

The list continues with various crosiers, rings, the liturgical dressing of the Catholicos of All Armenians.Arzoumanian is author of the design of catholicosal medals St. Gregory the Illuminator, St. Sahak - St. Mesrop, and St. Nerses Shnorhali.

Interior Design

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author of Throne Hall of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Graphical Works

There are a number of graphical works done by Baghdasar Arzoumanian which include design of Etchmiadzin Monthly, Catholicosal Decrees, designs of various books, friendly jests [See Friendly Jests by Baghdasar Arzoumanian.] .Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author graphical designer and author of the text of the book "Armenian Churches" [cite book |last=Արզումանյան |first=Բաղդասար |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Հայկական եկեղեցիները. պատկերագիրք|origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year=1970 |month= |publisher= |location=Sophia |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= ] .

Other Works

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author of the "Dpratoun" building in Oshakan, Armenia.

Churches of Baghdasar Arzoumanian

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author of 10 Armenian church buildings and building renovations.

Renovations

Arzoumanian is the author of renovation of the following churches:
* St. John the Baptist Church of Yerevan (entire renovation and the bell-tower) [See [http://www.araratian-tem.am/churches.php?id=27 St. John the Baptist Church] , [http://www.psalmtours.com/destinations/?p=view&destination=46 Yerevan St. Hovhannes (John the Baptist) Church] .] ,
* St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of the Kinali Island, Turkey.

Churches

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the architect of the following churches:
* St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Odessa, Ukraine (1995),
* St. Hakob (James) Church of the Vaskenian Theological Academy near to Sevan, Armenia [See [http://66.208.37.78/index.jsp?sid=1&id=249&pid=247 Location and Buildings of Vaskenian Theological Academy] .]
* St. Sarkis Church of Nork District of Yerevan, Armenia (1999) [See [http://www.araratian-tem.am/churches.php?id=33 Nor Nork, St. Sarkis Church] , [http://www.psalmtours.com/destinations/?p=view&destination=43 Yerevan Nor Nork St. Sarkis Church] .] ,
* Holy Resurrection Church of Nerkin Dvin, Armenia [See [http://www.araratian-tem.am/churches.php?id=55 N. Dvin, Church of Holy Resurrection] .] ,
* Holy Resurrection Church of Spitak, Armenia (1999),
* Holy Martyrs Church of Kashatagh, Nagorno-Karabakh (2002, the church was consecrated after his death),
* St. Hakob (James) Church of Gyumri, Armenia (2002, the church was consecrated after his death),
* Holy Trinity Church of Yerevan, Armenia (2005, the church was consecrated after his death) [See [http://www.araratian-tem.am/churches.php?id=56 Church of the Holy Trinity] , [http://www.psalmtours.com/destinations/?p=view&destination=26 Yerevan Surb Yerrordutiun (Holy Trinity) Church] .] ,

Medals and Awards

* St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal
* Golden Medal of the Academy of Arts of the USSR (1991) [See [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/13/Golden_Medal_of_the_Academy_of_Arts_of_the_USSR.jpg/403px-Golden_Medal_of_the_Academy_of_Arts_of_the_USSR.jpg Golden Medal of the Academy of Arts of the USSR] .]
* Title of Merited Constructor of Armenia (1966)

Baghdasar Arzoumanian also holds numerous medals for his military career during World War II (II Order Medal of the Patriotic War, Red Star Medal, Medal of Honour, Medal of Bravery, Medal for Victory against Germany, Medal for Taking Kyoniksberg, Medal of Marshal Baghramian).

Bibliography

There are 30 bibliographical references in the Book of Varazdat Haroutiunian devoted to Baghdasar Arzoumanian [See cite book |last=Հարությունյան |first=Վարազդատ |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Նորօրյա Ոսկեձեռիկը. ճարտարապետ Բաղդասար Արզումանյանի կյանքն ու ստեղծագործական վաստակը|origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year=2004 |month= |publisher=Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin |location=Holy Etchmiadzin |language=Armenian |isbn=99930-75-23-X |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=100 |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= ] .

References