Armenian Church of the Holy Mother of God

Armenian Church of the Holy Mother of God

The first immigrants from Armenia began to appear in the provinces of Uzbekistan during the reign of Tamerlane. A large increase in the number of Armenian settlers also occurred in the nineteenth century, when the countries of Central Asia joined the powerful Russia.

By the beginning of 1897, 149 Armenians lived in Samarkand, most of whom were male. In the same year, the small Armenian diaspora delegated its representatives to the governor of the city with a request to open a prayer house in Samarkand. The petition was granted, and in the middle of the autumn of 1898, clergyman Gevorg Zakharyants began to perform his direct duties.

At first, the services were held in a rented room. But with the growing number of Armenian immigrants, there was a need to expand the space of the prayer house. By the beginning of 1903, it was decided to build its own church. The temple was built by the end of the same year, and representatives of the Armenian nation began to go to the church, which was built with their own hands, using the parishioners' personal funds.

In 1905, a college was opened at the temple. With the advent of Soviet power, the church was active for some time: all religious holidays were celebrated, baptisms and weddings were held, as well as funeral rites. The children were taught history lessons and the basics of Orthodox culture.

It was closed in 1933. It has been inactive for several decades. It was only in 1991 that the clergy were sent there.