These paintings will soon be moved to St. Hakob Church in Vardenis. Next year, major Gospel themes will adorn the church’s altar. St. Hakob Church was renovated and reconsecrated in 2012, after which the “Renaissance” Foundation decided to depict the life of Christ along the entire length of the altar inside the church.
Mikayel Harutyunyan, artist:
“The main episodes are the Annunciation, Nativity, Baptism of Christ, His Miracles, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, and the final painting, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is a tabernacle feast.”
Twelve paintings, twelve scenes, in which all five tabernacle feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church have a unique presence.
Every brushstroke begins with church music. That is how artist Mikayel Harutyunyan finds inspiration. He has added Armenian details and hidden symbols to the paintings with Christian themes. At first glance, they are almost imperceptible.
Mikayel Harutyunyan, artist:
“These are the colors of the Armenian flag, just as the shepherds were the first to visit, in the same way, Armenia was the first to go forth to meet Christ. Through Armenian details, I tried to convey an Armenian spirit to this series; there are also symbolic images that I will reveal later.”
This exceptional series was chosen together with the “Renaissance” Foundation after lengthy discussions. The artist has created many paintings on spiritual themes. This time as well, before painting the most important episodes of Christ’s life, he discussed them with the clergy.
Mikayel Harutyunyan, artist:
“The fourth painting depicts one of Christ’s miracles, the raising of Jairus’s daughter. Most artists have placed the emphasis on Christ and the girl, whereas I placed the emphasis on Jairus and Christ. The moment of faith is what matters here, that no matter what happens, it must remain unwavering.”
Five paintings are already complete. On the initiative of the “Renaissance” Foundation, in the summer of 2025, on the feast day of St. Hakob Church in Vardenis, Mikayel Harutyunyan’s 12 paintings will adorn the entire altar.