Shamkhoretsots Holy Mother of God Church in Tiflis

The photograph shows the Armenian church of Karmir Avetaran (Red Gospel) in the Avlabar district of Tiflis (Tbilisi) before its destruction. The church, also known as Shamkhoretsots Holy Mother of God, was built in the 18th century; there are different versions of the construction date: 1735, 1775 or 1808. At 40 metres high, this monastery church was the tallest Armenian church in Tiflis. Today only ruins remain, and fragments of its façade are kept in the courtyard of the Surb Gevorg church.

The photograph shows the church with a tall drum and conical dome, surrounded by houses with wooden balconies. The Armenian caption below reads: “Shamkhoretsots Holy Mother of God (before the earthquake)”.