The wall paintings of Tigran Honents' church at Ani

Ani, as an important trade center since the 9th century, maintained this characteristic under the reign of the Georgian Queen Tamar, too. Foundation of the Empire of Trebizond by the help of Queen Tamar contributed the popularity of commerce road going through Ani from Erzurum. During the period of Zakare, one of the commandants of the Queen, thanks to the developing economy and wealth, new churches were built and the older ones were restored in the city. As a wealthy merchant, Tigran Honents appeared to be the most popular person during this architecture activity. Taking after Tigran Honents' own name and dedicated to Surp Grigor Lusavoriç in 1215, the wall paintings of the church could be handled as the reflection of the most crucial religious conflicts of the era. Zakare demanded to use portable icons in his military troops. The Sis council was collected on this demand and took a range of canon which are starting like "As in Georgian Church" and confirmed Zakare's demands. After a short time, this canons wholly denied by Armenian katalikos. The problem led to collecting two other synods by Zakare which are Ani and Lori. The canons of this two synods denied the Sis council again. Despite the attitude of the religious authority of the era, the wall paintings of the Tigran Honents Church in the region ruled by Zakare and donated by Tigran Honents who presented himself "The servant of the Amirspasalar Zakare" and gained special importance as reflections of the theological and political atmosphere of the Ani in thirteenth century. There are sixteen wall paintings related to the life of Surp Grigor Lusavoric, the founder of Armenian Church, in Tigran Honents Church. All of the scenes take their themes from the work of Agathangelos who is the contemporary of St. Grigor. However, another scene that takes place in St Nino's life who is the founder of Georgian Church was added at the end of those scenes which did not appear in Agathangelos's history. This is a meaningful example summarizing the atmosphere of two different Christian communities which was ruled by Zakare. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze wall painting of the Tigran Honents Church in context of the theological and political atmosphere of the era. Key Words: Ani, St. Grigor the illuminator, wall painting, Tigran Honents' church, St. Nino.