The Thematic Session seeks to explore the historical, cultural, and artistic relations between Byzantium and the region of Artsakh (Karabagh), a territory distinguished by its rich medieval heritage and deeply rooted Christian tradition. Through the examination of textual, artistic, and architectural sources, the session aims to shed new light on the channels of interaction and mutual influence between the Byzantine and Armenian worlds. Particular attention will be given to the transmission of theological concepts, artistic models, and liturgical practices that shaped the intellectual and visual culture of Artsakh within the broader Byzantine ecumene. Meanwhile, the session bears contemporary significance. Many of the ancient and medieval monuments of Artsakh are today gravely endangered, following recent conflicts and acts of cultural erasure. By highlighting the historical interconnectedness of Byzantine and Armenian civilizations, the session emphasizes the universal value of this shared heritage and the urgent need for its preservation. The papers presented will draw upon rare and little-studied sources, combining rigorous scholarship with fresh methodological perspectives. Together, they will demonstrate how Artsakh functioned as both a recipient and a creative transmitter of Byzantine cultural traditions, offering new insights into cross-cultural exchange in the medieval Christian East. Integrating history, theology, art history, and cultural studies, “Byzantium and Artsakh” aligns with the research orientations of the AIEB, emphasizing both interdisciplinary collaboration and the ethical responsibility of preservation. It aims to foster a renewed scholarly dialogue that not only deepens our understanding of Byzantine-Armenian relations but also raises awareness of the cultural legacy of Artsakh as an essential part of world heritage.
Among the miniatures of this illuminated Gospel, attributed to the Artsakh-Utiķ school of miniature painting and produced at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, the scene on folio 11r is of particular significance. It depicts Christ seated at a table surrounded by His eleven apostles, while Judas appears in the lower right corner,…
The Armenian Church’s ritual book known as the Mashtots—compiled by Catholicos Mashtots Yeghivardetsi (897–898)—preserves two distinct rites of royal anointing and coronation. These are transmitted in different versions and reflect the complex interplay between Armenian, Byzantine, and Western liturgical traditions. The first rite, used for the coronation of the kings of the Armenian Kingdom of…
Situées au carrefour des influences orientales et occidentales, les régions historiques de l’Artsakh et du Syunik ont, dès le haut Moyen Âge, développé une production sculpturale d’une richesse et d’une originalité remarquables. Malgré les bouleversements historiques et politiques, la densité et la qualité exceptionnelle des monuments conservés demeurent saisissantes. Face au risque de disparition du…
This study examines female patronage in the medieval Christian world, viewing it not as isolated charity but as an institutionalized socio-cultural practice. Although Christian ideology long restricted women’s political and public roles, it opened a symbolic and artistic sphere where they could express identity through religious and cultural patronage. Through the founding and endowment of…
Gandzasar Monastery, located in the historical province of Khachen in Artsakh, served as the spiritual center of the Hasan-Jalalyan dynasty from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century. As the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Artsakh, it played a central role in both the religious and artistic life of the region. The monastery had a…