The church of Surb Astvatsamayr in Khulgumo is a Catholic church on the road to Akhalkalaki and the spiritual centre of the village. The name translates from Armenian as Holy Mother of God, and under it the church is known to the people of the Armenian villages of Javakheti, where the Catholic tradition has lived for centuries.
The parish is among the most alive in this part of Samtskhe-Javakheti: services, a community, open doors right by the highway. For a traveller it is a rare chance to see Armenian Catholic Javakheti not from a car window but from within: the village’s old church stands nearby as well, so both churches are seen in one stop.
Guests are received kindly, and the rules are usual: modest dress, quiet, and during mass one sits by the entrance and does not photograph those at prayer.
⛪ On site
- The working Catholic parish of the village
- Surb Astvatsamayr in Armenian: Holy Mother of God
- The Catholic tradition of the Armenian villages of Javakheti
🚗 Getting there
- Landmark - Khulgumo village on the Akhaltsikhe - Akhalkalaki highway, the church by the road
- The Build Route button will take you to the spot
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