# Baghdasar Arzoumanian

Baghdasar Arzoumanian (Armenian: Բաղդասար Արզումանյան; January 1, 1916 – November 19, 2001) was an Armenian architect and designer based in Yerevan, Armenia. He designed a large body of civil and religious buildings as well as many smaller works.

## Education and background

Arzoumanian was born in Mutsk, Syunik Province, Armenia. From 1928 to 1936 he studied at the Technical School. In 1938 he was admitted to the Constructions Department of the Institute for Polytechnical Sciences of Yerevan. In 1942 he entered the Soviet army and took part in World War II. He served in the army until 1946 when he returned to Yerevan to continue his studies. He graduated from the Institute in 1949.
During his professional career he worked with the Yerevan Project Institute and the Armenian Church headquarters in Etchmiadzin.
He died on November 19, 2001, in Yerevan.

## Civil buildings

Arzoumanian is the architect of many civil buildings in Armenia. Below are some of his most important buildings:
* City hall of Vanadzor and Hotel Gougark in the Hayk Square (then known as Kirov Square) of the city of Vanadzor, completed during the 1950s (co-architect: Hovhannes Margarian).
* Erebuni Museum (1968, co-architect: Shmavon Azatian).
* Museum dedicated to 2450th anniversary of establishment of Samarkand, Uzbekistan (now the Samarkand Museum of History)
* Metro Station "David of Sasoun", Armenian: Սասունցի Դավիթ (co-architects: Sargis Nersisian and Areg Israyelian).
* Degustation Hall of the Yerevan Brandy Factory (co-architects: Sargis Nersisian and Hasmik Alexanian).
* Yerevan Cable-way Station.
* City hall of Vanadzor
* Hotel Gougark in Vanadzor
Arzoumanian is architect or co-architect of the RA Police building in Yerevan, various apartment buildings, reconstruction of Moscow Cinema in Yerevan. He is the architect of memorials to the victory in World War II in various parts of Armenia.

## Etchmiadzin (1956–2001)
### Early works

* Vanatoon (Monastic Residence) – 1978
* Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum – 1982
* Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum at the Mother See.

### Design works
#### Khachkars and memorials

Arzoumanian designed many khachkars (Armenian stone crosses) and memorials. Many of them are in Etchmiadzin (i.e. the Motherland-Diaspora Memorial). He is also the architect of a memorial in the monastery of Geghard, and a memorial and khachkars next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese.
* Khachkar next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese
* Khachkar next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese
* Khachkar next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese
* Arzoumanian at the Motherland-Diaspora Memorial in Etchmiadzin

#### Jewellery works

His Golden Alphabet (1976) and Golden Cross (1979) are kept in the Pontifical Residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Among his other works are:
* State Emblem of the Soviet Armenia (1981)
* Souvenir dedicated to the 30th anniversary of service of Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians (1985)
The list also includes various crosiers, rings, the liturgical dressing of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Arzoumanian is the designer of catholicosal medals St. Gregory the Illuminator, St. Sahak – St. Mesrop, and St. Nerses Shnorhali (Nerses the Gracious).
* Golden Alphabet of Baghdasar Arzoumanian
* Golden Cross of Baghdasar Arzoumanian
* Chalice of the Catholicos of All Armenians (1965)
* Crosier (Armenian: ասան) of the Catholicos of All Armenians (1962)
* Patriarchal Panagia
* St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
* St. Sahak – St. Mesrop Medal of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
* St. Nerses Shnorhali Medal of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

#### Interior design

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author of the Throne Hall of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

##### Iconostases

Besides iconostases of the churches of his own design, Arzoumanian is the author of the iconostases of following churches:
* St. Sarkis Vicarial Church of Yerevan, Armenia (authors of renovation: Rafayel Israyelian and Artsrun Galikyan),
* St. Catherine Armenian Church of Saint Petersburg, Russia.

#### Graphical works

Arzoumanian also designed graphics which include the design of Etchmiadzin Monthly, Catholicosal Decrees, and book designs. He is the graphical designer and the author of the text of the book "Armenian Churches".

#### Tombstones

Baghasar Arzoumanian designed the tombstones of:
* Vazgen I, Catholicos of All Armenians,
* Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians,
* Saint Mesrob Mashtots.
* Tombstone of Vazgen I
* Tombstone of Karekin I
* Tombstone of St. Mesrop Mashtots

#### Other works

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author of the "Dpratoun" building in Oshakan, Armenia. He is also the designer of the entrance door of the Residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

### Churches

Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the architect of 8 Armenian churches and 2 renovation projects.

#### Renovation projects

Arzoumanian is the author of renovation of the following churches:
* St. John the Baptist Church of Yerevan (entire renovation and the bell-tower),
* St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of the Kinali Island, Turkey.
* St. John the Baptist Church of Yerevan.

#### New churches

Arzoumanian is the architect of the following churches:
* St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Odesa, Ukraine (1995),
* St. Sarkis Church of Nork District of Yerevan, Armenia (1999),
* Holy Resurrection Church of Nerkin Dvin, Armenia,
* Holy Resurrection Church of Spitak, Armenia (1999),
* Holy Martyrs Church of Kashatagh, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (2002, the church was consecrated after his death),
* St. Hakob (James) Church of Gyumri, Armenia (2002, the church was consecrated after his death),
* St. Hakob (James) Church of the Vaskenian Theological Academy near Sevan, Armenia
* Holy Trinity Church of Yerevan, Armenia (2005, the church was consecrated after his death).
* St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Odesa
* St. Sarkis Church of Nork District of Yerevan
* Holy Martyrs Church of Kashatagh
* St. Hakob (James) Church of the Vaskenian Theological Academy near Sevan

## Medals and awards

* St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal
* Golden Medal of the Academy of Arts of the USSR (1991)
* Title of Merited Constructor of Armenia (1966)
Arzoumanian also holds medals for his military career during World War II (2nd Order Medal of the Patriotic War, Red Star Medal, Medal of Honour, Medal of Bravery, Medal for Victory against Germany, Medal for Taking Kyoniksberg, Medal of Marshal Baghramian).

## Gallery

* Architectural Commission of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (1970–1988). First row from left: Varazdat Harutyunyan, Vazgen I, K. Altunyan Second row from left: Arzoumanian, H. Babakhanian, Grigor Khanjyan, A. Galikyan, M. Hovhannisyan
* Entrance door of the Catholicos's residence (Arzoumanian and Vazgen I are at left)
* Arzoumanian and Varazdat Harutyunyan after receiving the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal from Karekin I
* Arzoumanian
* Memorial on the wall of the building where he lived from 1958-2001 (designed by Getik Baghdasaryan)