Ghazanchetsots is the second leading church of Artsakh, after Gandzasar. The cathedral is the residency of Artsakh Diocese. The architectural complex was built in XIX century and is comprised of a church and a single bell-tower. It is built of grayish-white limestone – rather unusual for Armenian churches. In Soviet times, the church was used as a barn, while during the Nagorno-Karabakh war, Azerbaijan used the premises as an armory. The church was restored in the aftermath of the war, and from that time on, it has been used for church services, baptizing and wedding ceremonies. By the way, an outstanding event known as a “Big Wedding” took place in Artsakh in 2008, when 687 couples held their weddings on the same day, 550 of which got married in Ghazachentsots.
