Adır Island
Adır Island (Turkish: Adır Adası) or Lim Island (Armenian: Լիմ կղզի, romanized: Lim kghzi), is the largest island in Lake Van, located in the northeastern side of the lake. During the Armenian genocide upwards of 12,000 Armenian women and children, crossed to the isle over a period of three days while a few dozen men covered their retreat from Hamidiye regiments. The Situation became soon critical because of a lack of food.[1][2]
Lim Monastery was built by Armenians over the centuries on the island, with Armenian sources indicating the monastery was already founded pre-884, with tradition saying that St. Gregory the Illuminator himself founded it in the 4th century. By the 14th century there were Surp Astvatsatsin, Surp Garabed and Surp Kevork churches. In 1766 the belltower, a chapel and a parish house were built. The monastery functioned until 1918, and has deteriorated ever since.[3] The large, intricate curtain from one of the altars is preserved in very good condition at the museum of San Lazzaro Island in Venice.
Gallery
Lim Armenian Monastery in 2009
Lim Armenian Monastery in 2009
Lim Armenian Monastery in 2009
Armenian writing on the Monastery in 2009
Built-in khachkar
Remains of a khachkar near the church
Internal view of the church 2021
Lying khachkar
References
- ^ Kevorkian, Raymond (2011). The Armenian Genocide: A Complete History. London: I.B. Taurus and Co. Ltd. p. 322. ISBN 978-1-84885-561-8.
- ^ Ter Martirosyan (A-Do), Hovhannes (2017). Van 1915: The Great Events of Vasbouragan. London: Gomidas Institute. p. 127-130. ISBN 978-1-909382-37-4.
- ^ "Local Residents of van Demand Restoration of Lim Armenian Monastery". 8 September 2020.
External links
- San Lazzaro degli Armeni - page about the Armenian monastery in Venice shows part of the altar embroidery in the background of the photo of Komitas' death mask
