The Armenian church of the Virgin Mary of Ganchvor in Famagusta

Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra
katoomba@cytanet.com.cy
The church of the Virgin Mary of Ganchvor (Caller or Summoner) is situated in the northwestern part of the walled city of Famagusta, a stones throw away from the much
larger Carmelite church; it is the only surviving Armenian church of Famagusta - which
during the Middle Ages had 3 Armenian Orthodox and 1 Armenian Catholic church.
Ganchvor was part of an important monastic, cultural and theological establishment, at
which Saint Nerses of Lampron (1153-1198) is said to have studied, whose foundations
survived until the mid-20th century. A scriptorium used to operate in this monastery,
manuscripts of which survive at the Armenian Saint James Monastery in Jerusalem.
This modest church, built in a traditional Armenian style, was probably erected in 1346
by Armenian refugees who had escaped the Mameluke attacks against Ayas of Cilicia.
Looking like a square fortress with a semi-circular apse to the east and a cross-shaped
roof, its masonry seems to be Cypriot in style. Its walls were covered with beautiful
frescoes, only some of which survive until the present day, due to the long abandonment
and natural decay. It is unknown exactly when it ceased being used as a church,
however it had possibly stopped operating already since the mid-Venetian Era.
Throughout the Ottoman Era (1570-1878), the walled city of Famagusta was a forbidden
place for non-Muslim locals. We have no information about its condition and any possible
use during that time, but we do know that until at least 1862 it had a small bell tower.
Unpreserved for almost four centuries, it was declared an ancient monument in 1907,
according to Colonial Antiquities Law IV/1905. Earlier on, the Armenian Archbishop of
Cyprus, Bedros Saradjian, had approached the Curator of Ancient Monuments, George
Jeffery, regarding this church. As a result, in 1907 an iron door was placed and partial
preservation took place. In 1931 the inside of the church was cleared from some debris,
while in 1932 it was restored by the Cyprus Museum, under Jefferys care.
In 1934 Ganchvor was visited by the Catholicos of Cilicia, Papken Gulesserian, and the
Armenian Archbishop of Cyprus, Bedros Saradjian. As the Armenian population of
Famagusta had recently increased due to the influx of Genocide refugees, they were of
the opinion that it should be given to the local Armenian community as a place of
worship. Thanks to arrangements between Archbishop Saradjian and the newly-formed
Antiquities Department Director Jeffery, it was leased in 1936 to the Armenian Prelature
of Cyprus for a period of 99 years. Restorations and significant repairs were carried out
during the long years of 1937-1944, under the watchful care of Theophilus Mogabgab,
Director of Antiquities for Famagusta District.
The first Liturgy and its re-consecration took place on 14 January 1945 by Archimandrite
Krikor Bahlavouni [also known as Topal Vartabed (Lame Archimandrite), due to a leg
injury he suffered during his service with the Armenian Legion]. It was partially burnt in
1957 by Turkish-Cypriot extremists. Ganchvor was used for worship until 1962, when the
community was granted use of the old church of Ayia Paraskevi, a larger church closer to
Varosha, where the majority of the towns Armenians lived.
Following the 1963-1964 intercommunal troubles, it became part of the Turkish-Cypriot
enclave, together with the rest of the walled Famagusta. Until 2005, when it was
declassified as military area, it was used as a residence, stable and store room.
Presently it is in a fair condition, requiring restoration and some repairs.