LCO Renovates Historic Tchitchkhanavank, Shikahogh Churches

PASADENA, Calif.—This past summer, 20 Land and Culture Organization (LCO)/Organisation Terre et Culture (OTC) volunteers from Canada, France, Switzerland, the United States, and Armenia participated in two historical preservation campaigns in Armenia.

In the southern Syunik village of Shikahogh, near the lush Shikahogh forest preserve, the renovation of the 16th-century Sourp Stepanos Nakhavegah Church entered its second year. In 2013, volunteers had conducted the initial phase of archaeological digs with an Armenian
archaeologist. This summer, under the direction of a historical architect, volunteers prepared the foundation, strengthened compromised walls, removed artificial additions, and stripped the
church down to the original stonewalls. The restoration will begin in 2015.

In the northern Shirak region, work on the final phase of rebuilding Shirakamut’s 7th-century Tchitchkhanavank Church quickly progressed. The village of Shirakamut is located a few miles from Spitak, the epicenter of the 1988 earthquake. During the summer of 2015 campaign, volunteers will carry out finishing touches on the project in anticipation of the completion and consecration of Tchitchkhanavank in August 2015.

Next year will mark the 38th year LCO/OTC and its volunteers have been conducting or participating in historical renovation projects throughout historical Armenian lands in Iran, Syria, Armenia, Artsakh (Karabagh), and Turkey.

LCO was one of the earliest volunteer groups in Armenia and Artsakh. It continues to be the only diasporan non-profit organization devoted to restoring, renovating, and rejuvenating the historical monuments and sites of the Armenian nation. It has performed this mission through its summer campaigns, with volunteers of every age from the Armenian Diaspora, Armenia, and Artsakh.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in three campaign sessions in the summer of 2015. Final campaign dates will be announced in the spring. For more information on becoming a volunteer, visit www.lcousa.org.