Kanach Zham

Kanach Zham
The church in 2018
Shown within Republic of Artsakh
Basic information
Location	Shushi,  Republic of Artsakh  Azerbaijan
Geographic coordinates	39°45′45″N 46°44′37″E / 39.76250°N 46.74361°E / 39.76250; 46.74361Coordinates: 39°45′45″N 46°44′37″E / 39.76250°N 46.74361°E / 39.76250; 46.74361
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Architectural style	Armenian

Saint John the Baptist Church, commonly known as Kanach Zham, is an Armenian Apostolic church located in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh; just uphill from the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral. Kanach Zham means "Green Church" in Armenian, this is because at one time the church's domes were painted green. This church is also sometimes called by the name of the old church in its place Gharabakhtsots in honor of the farmers from Nagorno-Karabakh who built it.

According to the building inscription, the church was built in 1818 in the place of the former Gharabaghtsots wooden church (in bottom eastern part of fort-town, existed in the second half of 18th century). In the walls is placed the former church's inscription. The dome of the ramparted church and its chapel are seen from very far. The latter have architectural innovations.

The church has a cruciform scheme. In course of placing side-chapels under the altar rising, the eastern facade of the church and the chapel joining to it from west stand out with unique interior decoration, thanks to which this monument isolated among the analogous architectural constructions. Over the entry, crowned with chapel’s dome is carved the inscription, Babayan Stepanos Hovanes. In the memory of the deceased brother Mkrtich. 1847.

• 
  The church as seen from afar
• 
  The church in 2009

Notes