“Sana Ełc‘i / Eghtsi” Church
Date of construction: 17th century
Location: Askeran/ Avetaranots village (former Chanakhchi)
Description / Archaeological and Artistic Information:
The church is located 1.7 km south of the village
It is a small single-nave church, like most churches that have survived in Artsakh. Most likely, it was a chapel. It is built of cracked, rough stones and lime mortar. It has a semicircular tabernacle with upward narrowing walls but no stage or baptistery. Two khachkars are erected in the apse. There was a cemetery nearby. The chapel was most likely intended for burial and commemoration ceremonies, then served as a prayer hall for the hermits.