Tombstone with Georgian inscription in Haghpat

The tombstone with a Georgian inscription in Haghpat is one of the most interesting corners of the Haghpat Monastery. It has become a favorite stop for Georgian tourists, as the inscription is written in their own language. Why is it there, and to whom does it belong?

Background

In the Middle Ages, due to certain political circumstances, Chalcedonism spread in the northern regions of Armenia. Since in that area it was closely connected with the Georgian Orthodox Church, many Armenian Chalcedonians began to use Georgian alongside Armenian. Even some Armenian Apostolic churches were temporarily used by Armenians who had adopted Chalcedonism. For this reason, on the walls and tombstones of several churches in the Lori Province, medieval inscriptions written either in Armenian with Georgian letters or entirely in Georgian have been preserved to this day.

The next stage of the spread of Georgian inscriptions occurred in the 18th–19th centuries, when Armenians played a significant role in Tiflis and other Georgian cities. Armenian noble families sometimes included Georgian inscriptions on their tombstones alongside Armenian ones, reflecting their social connections and intercultural relations.

A Favorite Spot for Georgian Guides in Haghpat

In recent years, groups of Georgian tourists have been visiting Armenia’s Lori Province. In the Haghpat Monastery, their favorite stop is the tombstone with a Georgian inscription, located in front of the Church of the Holy Mother of God. It is a rectangular basalt stone, with an Armenian inscription on the upper part and a Georgian inscription on the lower part. The Armenian text is more detailed, yet both inscriptions convey the same message. The tombstone dates back to 1812 and belongs to a young Armenian woman named Hripsime.

The Georgian inscription on the tombstone reads:

ეს საფლავთა შიგა მდებარე ვარ უბედური წუთისსოფლიდამ უჟა-მოთ გამოსალმებულნ მე, ახპატის მოურავის მეუღლე ჰორომსიმე. მხილველ-ნო, გევედრებით ვინც წაიკითხოთ თითო პირი შენდობა მიბძანოთ. აღ-მისრულდი წელსა 1812.

Translation in English:

Here I rest, the unfortunate one who departed from life before her time — I, Khoromsime, the wife of the mouravi (governor) of Haghpat. Passersby, I beg you: whoever reads this, please say a word of mercy for me. I passed away in the year 1812.