Armenian Apostolic Church of Tallinn

Huge was my surprise when walking from Tallinn Bus Station to the city centre I discovered an Armenian Apostolic church, surrounded by skyscrapers. Just a year ago I spent my birthday in Yerevan, Armenia.

Now a year latter, seeing an Armenian Church seemed like a sign for me. I still don't know what kind of sign, but that was a great reason to photograph here.

Armenian Apostolic church in Tallinn, Estonia

Armenian Apostolic church in Tallinn, Estonia

Surrounded by skyscrapers, this Armenian church in Tallinn is almost invisible for untrained eye.

Inscription plate in Armenian and Estonian

Inscription plate in Armenian and Estonian

Although I don't speak either language, I believe it's saying - Armenian Apostolic Church

Now, I wanted to learn more about this church, and here is what I have found: (Source: Karine Grigorjan

June 17 2001, when Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated Church day, there was inaugurated Armenian temple in Tallinn. This church is situated in the beginning of the Tartu highway and before that it was Estonian church St. Yan.

The idea to create the Armenian Apostolic Church Community was brought by Vanush Carapetjan and Suren Saakjan  with the blessings of Wazgen I, who is the Cathalicos of all Armenians. In November 1993, the Community of St. Grigory was already registered in Tallinn.

In May 1994, the Community got to use the building of St.Yan almshouse, which is situated in the beginning of the Tartu  highway.

The Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelistic Lutheran Church Kuno Payula helped to get the room for the Community. In December of the same year Archbishop Garegin, nowadays the Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II, has consecrated the future temple.  

The Almshouse was restored through the help of the Armenian Community in Estonia, there was installed and blessed Chachkar made from the pink toof, which was brought from Armenia. The Archbishop Kotiyski Arakel and the Archbishop of the Russian and Novonahichevanski Eparchia Erzras were present at the consecration of Chachkar. The Metropolit of Talinn and the whole Estonia Kornili visited the ceremony as well.

After the formal ceremony of the Church inauguration, young people from the Armenian Community were baptized which was the best evidence to prove the words of Apostol Pavel: “Be jealous of big presents and I will show the way much better”.

Khachkar stone in Tallinn, Estonia

Khachkar stone in Tallinn, Estonia

Now, when photographing this stone monument, I had no idea what that actually is, some month latter I actually visited Armenia, and went to Haphpat monastery (Province of Lori, Armenia), and just then I learnt - that instead of just stone monument, those are called khachkars:

khachkar, also known as an Armenian cross-stone is a carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes, interlaces, and botanical motifs.[Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art. Since 2010, khachkars, their symbolism and craftsmanship are inscribed in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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