SAINT STEPANOS CHURCH, DARBAS
A Symbol of Historical Memory and Community Spiritual Revival
Saint Stepanos Church is located in the village of Darbas, within the Sisian Municipality of Armenia’s Syunik Province. It is the village’s principal spiritual building and a notable example of contemporary Armenian ecclesiastical architecture. Although the present church is modern, it continues the centuries-old Christian tradition of Darbas and was erected on the site of an earlier church bearing the same dedication.
Darbas is one of Syunik’s historic settlements. Medieval church ruins, cemeteries, khachkars and other monuments preserved throughout the village testify to a once active religious life. Most of the older churches were gradually lost, leaving the community without an operating sanctuary for many years. The construction of the new Saint Stepanos Church was therefore intended not merely to provide a place of worship but also to restore the settlement’s historical and spiritual continuity.
The church was built through the patronage of brothers Aram and Armen Stepanyan, whose family comes from Darbas. Construction continued for three years, and the inauguration of the new sanctuary took place on 5 May 2010. The building was designed by architect Nune Petrosyan, who combined traditional Armenian ecclesiastical forms with contemporary artistic solutions.
Saint Stepanos Church is constructed from light-coloured stone and is distinguished by clearly defined volumes, a prominent dome and a bell tower. Arched openings, carved bands, cross motifs and restrained ornamentation give the building the recognisable character of Armenian church architecture. Its interior is organised to preserve the unity of the prayer hall and direct attention towards the sanctuary.
The church is dedicated to Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, one of the earliest Christian deacons and the first follower of Christ to be martyred for his faith. Within the Armenian ecclesiastical tradition, Saint Stephen represents service, self-sacrifice and unwavering devotion. The church bearing his name in Darbas also expresses the idea of serving the community and contributing to the renewal of one’s native village.
Following its construction, the church became not only a setting for liturgies, baptisms and religious celebrations but also a centre of community unity. The date of 5 May developed into a day commemorating the village’s spiritual revival, bringing together both residents and families whose lives had taken them away from Darbas.
The importance of Saint Stepanos Church does not lie in antiquity. Its value comes from its role as a continuation of lost spiritual heritage and as an example of a modern community restoring its connection with history. The church demonstrates that cultural continuity is maintained not only by protecting ancient monuments but also by creating new spiritual life upon the foundations of historical memory.