Mastara church

St. Hovhannes Church, also known as Mastara Church, is located in the village of Mastara, Armenia. According to historical sources, the church houses relics of St. John the Baptist, brought here from Caesarea by Grigor the Illuminator (Lusavorich). The name Mastara comes from the Armenian word “mas,” meaning relics, reflecting the sacred significance of the site. Inscriptions on the south and eastern walls of the church indicate that it was built in the 7th century by Priest Grigor under the supervision of Bishop Teodoros Gnuni. However, based on architectural evidence, it is believed that the church was originally constructed in the 5th century, and the 7th-century inscriptions likely refer to a reconstruction. Traces of these renovations inside the church support this interpretation. The discrepancy in dates may also arise from the Armenian word “shinel,” which can mean both “to build” and “to reconstruct.” Over the centuries, Mastara Church underwent several reconstructions. In 891, the southern entrance was overhauled by Sargis, son of Priest Artavazd. During the 18th century, a protective wall was built around the church, and it served as a fortress for many years. This wall was later demolished in 1889 on the order of a local priest, who also initiated restoration works inside the church. Architecturally, St. Hovhannes illustrates the transitional period of Armenian church design, when simple layouts were gradually replaced by more complex cruciform central-plan domed structures. The church is crowned by an imposing dome with a diameter of 11.2 meters, supported by four large apses. Following medieval Armenian architectural traditions, the walls are left plain, emphasizing the church’s harmonious proportions and structural elegance. Today, Mastara Church remains a remarkable example of early Armenian architecture, combining historical significance, sacred tradition, and architectural mastery