Ottoman Document Concerning the Ktuts (Çarpanak) Monastery Van 1819 Armenian
Ottoman Document Concerning the Ktuts (Çarpanak) Monastery Van 1819
Description
This rare Ottoman Turkish document, dated 19 Nisan 1234 AH (1 May 1819 CE), concerns the historic Çarpanak (Ktuts) Monastery located on Ktuts Island in Lake Van. The monastery founded in the 15th century holds deep significance in Armenian religious and cultural history.
The content of the document addresses the monk (rahib/kesis) of the Çarpanak Church, granting permission for the burial (defin) of monks from the incident who had died. This reference suggests that a notable incident or tragedy had occurred in the region, making the document an important piece for historical inquiry into local events of the early 19th century.
On the reverse side, there are Armenian inscriptions, including a legible “The Ktuts Monastery,” which directly connects the document to the site. Such bilingual or multi-script material adds significant research value.
The monastery would later become a refuge during the Hamidian massacres (1894–1896); however, its isolation prevented refuge during the Armenian Genocide (1915–1916). Today, only the church and gavit remain, making early documentation like this especially valuable for Armenian ecclesiastical and regional history.
Key Features
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Ottoman Turkish document dated 1234 AH / 1 May 1819
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Issued to the monk of the Çarpanak / Ktuts Monastery
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Grants permission for the burial of deceased monks
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Early 19th-century reference to one of the most important Armenian monastic sites
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Reverse side contains Armenian script, including “The Ktuts Monastery”
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Historically significant for both Ottoman administrative history and Armenian ecclesiastical heritage
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Valuable due to the monastery's later role in 1894–96 events and abandonment post-1915
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A rare cross-cultural archival piece documenting Armenian life under Ottoman rule