| Yereruyk | |
|---|---|
 The ruins of Yererouk Basilica | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Province | Shirak |
| Status | Ruined |
| Location | |
| Location | Anipemza, Shirak Province, Armenia |
  Shown within Armenia  Yererouk (Shirak) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°26′23″N 43°36′33″E / 40.439722°N 43.609167°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Basilica |
| Style | Armenian |
| Completed | 4th–5th centuries |
| Height (max) | 100 feet 0 inches (30.48 m) |
Yererouk (Armenian: Երերույքի տաճար, Yereruyk’i tachar), also Yereruyk or Ererouk, is an ancient Armenian church near the village of Anipemza in the Shirak Province of Armenia. Yererouk was built on a plateau near the Akhurian River, which defines the frontier with Turkey, about 5 km southeast of the ancient city of Ani.[1]
The basilica is considered one of the ancient examples of Armenian architecture, belonging to the Paleo-Christian epoch (4th–6th century). It was initially started in the 4th century,[2] then was postponed in the 5th century[3] and finally completed in the 6th century.[4] Because the basilica isn't mentioned in any historical sources, the dates are hypothetical. However, the most recent studies have analysed the architectural characteristics with stratigraphic tests, the study of the sculptural decoration and epigraphy,[5] the comparation with similar churches in Syria.[6][7][8]
Because the basilica of Yererouk is one of the earliest surviving Christian monuments in Armenia, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on August 25, 1995, in the Cultural category.[9]
- ^ Patrick Donabédian, Ereruyk: nouvelles données sur l'histoire du site et de la basilique, Mélanges Jean-Pierre Mahé, Travaux et Mémoires 18, Paris, 2014, p. 241-284.
- ^ Ererouk, Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno, retrieved 2009-03-18
- ^ Murad Hasratian, Early christian architecture of Armenia, Zakneftegazstroy Ed, Mosca, 2000
- ^ Patrick Donabédian, Ereruyk: nouvelles données sur l'histoire du site et de la basilique, Centre de Recherche d'Histoire et Civilisation de Byzance
- ^ Jean Claude Bessac, Observations sur la construction de la Basilique d'Ererouk en République d'Arménie in Syria, Beirut, Presses de l'Ifpo, 2012, p. 331-336.
- ^ H. Abich, Aus dem Kaukasischen Landern: Reisebriefe von Hermann Wien, 1896
- ^ H. GH. Alishan, Shirak, Venezia, 1881
- ^ T. Thoramanian, Niouter haykakam djhartarapetouthian matmoutian (Tools for the study of Armenian architecture history), Erevan, 1942
- ^ The basilica and archaeological site of Yererouk (#), UNESCO World Heritage Centre, retrieved 2009-03-18