Tzitzernavank monastery (Ağoğlan (Tsitsernavank))

 church, place with historical importance, monastery, listed building / architectural heritage, Armenian Apostolic church

Tzitzernavank (Armenian: Ծիծեռնավանք) is a IV-VI century Armenian monastic complex in South Caucasus. When constructed, Tzitzernavank lay in Aghahejk, one of the 12 regions of the historical Armenian province and principality of Syunik (Siwnik). By the 15th century Aghahejk had spit into two districts: the northern half was called Khozhoraberd; the southern half, containing Tzitzernavank, was called Kashatagh. The basilica of Tzitzernavank was believed to contain relics of St. George the Dragon-Slayer (Armenian: Սուրբ Գևորգ Վիշապաքաղ). In the past, the monastery belonged to the Tatev diocese and is mentioned as a notable religious center by the 13th century historian Stepanos Orbelian and Bishop Tovma Vanandetsi (Armenian: Թովմա Վանանդեցի). In 1613, the monastery's fortified wall was repaired and its arched gateway was constructed - the building inscription in Armenian recording this act disappeared between 1989 and 1992, when the region was under the control of Azerbaijan. church and its belltower were renovated in 1779. The building inscription in Armenian recording this renovation disappeared in 1967. In the 19th century it served as the parish church for the adjoining peasant settlement of Zeyva, and was called St. Stephanos. Zeyva's Armenian inhabitants fled during the 1905 Armenian-Tartar war, never to return. During the Soviet period the village was renamed Gusulu and the church was unused but preserved as an historical monument. Tzitzernavank's church of St. George (St. Gevorg) was reconsecrated in October 2001, after a heavy restoration in 1999-2000 paid for by Armenian diaspora funds, and is a venue for annual festivals honoring St. George. Believed that the name originates from the word "tzitzernak" which means the bird "swallow" in Armenian. Today Tzitzernavank lay in Qashatagh Province of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (formerly Lachin Rayon of Soviet Azerbaijan). But Azeris consider this Armenian monastery as Albanian one and name it with Turkish name "Agoglan" (see falsification of history in Azerbaijan: sites.google.com/site/azerbaijanisafakecountry/home)