Publications
Mesrob z Kaffy († 1624) – ostatni przedunijny arcybiskup „wszystkich Ormian obojga płci, mieszkających we Lwowie, Kijowie, Łucku i Zamościu”
Mesrop of Kaffa (†1624) stands as the last pre-Union Armenian archbishop overseeing communities across Lviv, Kiev, Lutsk, and Zamość before the union with the Holy See. Born in a mixed Armenian-Ruthenian family in Moldavia, his life traversed Crimea, Armenia, and Poland, where he was ordained and rose through ecclesiastical ranks. His journey—marked by pilgrimages, manuscript searches, and formal appointments—culminated in his recognition as archbishop of Lviv in 1623. Mesrop’s legacy includes patronage of Armenian churches, notably founding an altar in Kamieniec Podolski, and a documented will in Kipchak-Armenian ethnolect. The study reconstructs his life through historical records, including royal decrees and chronicles, offering insight into the socio-religious dynamics of pre-Union Armenian communities in Eastern Europe.
The Frescoes of the Haghpat Monastery in the Historical-Confessional Context of the 13th Century
Frescoes from the Haghpat Monastery, dating to the 13th century, reveal a complex interplay of religious and political dynamics during two distinct phases. The earlier frescoes, executed under the patronage of Zakare in the early 1200s, featured bilingual Orthodox Armenian inscriptions, signifying a period of rising Armenian-Chalcedonian influence despite the monastery's non-Chalcedonian affiliation. A later renovation in the 1280s, commissioned by the Artsrunid family, aligned with the Armenian National Church, reflecting shifting confessional loyalties post-earthquake. This study deciphers these frescoes as markers of historical transitions, providing insight into the monastery's evolving religious and political landscape during a pivotal era.
Diagnosis of Tourism Enhancement of the UNESCO World Heritage Ensemble of Apostolic Churches of Armenia
Armenia's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, exhibit significant but underutilized tourism potential. Despite their historical significance (dating back to the 4th century), spiritual relevance, and architectural uniqueness, some sites experience low public visitation. This study, pioneering in Armenia, diagnoses the current state of these sites through observational fieldwork, bibliographic review, and heritage inventory preparation. It evaluates both tourism appeal and intrinsic values using technical criteria, revealing that the Monastery of Geghard and the Cathedral of Echmiatsin stand out due to their accessibility, conservation status, and attractiveness. The research proposes heritage enhancement tools to improve physical and intellectual access, aiming to boost sustainable tourism while preserving these cultural treasures.
Open access web mapping as a virtual survey tool for cultural heritage: an application to the Armenian religious architecture documented by Paolo Cuneo
A recent study highlights the potential of open access web mapping as a powerful virtual survey tool for assessing and monitoring cultural heritage sites, particularly those vulnerable to natural hazards like earthquakes. The research demonstrates how interdisciplinary integration of ICT tools can enhance conservation efforts by providing restorers and structural engineers with accessible, graphical data representations. Focusing on the Monastery of Haghpat in Armenia, the study evaluates user perspectives on these platforms, drawing from the legacy of architect Paolo Cuneo's documentation work. By leveraging modern web-based mapping technologies, the research offers a practical approach to risk management for historical and architectural assets, bridging traditional expertise with contemporary digital solutions.
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