ABSTRACT
At Mastara, the sculpted cross and surrounding inscription were presented in relation to the liturgy of church dedication, and also in relation to the hymns of the cross, themselves recently connected to the archetypal Christian dedication service: the Jerusalem Encaenia. This chapter formulates and considers a compelling question of we can gain insight into the medieval experience of ecclesiastical spaces and their symbolic meanings by mobilizing the evidence of both surviving liturgical texts and church facades. The research presented sharpens our understanding of the extraordinary role Jerusalem played in shaping the spiritual imaginary of Armenia. The chapter tries to understand Armenian architectural facades through liturgical rite. Taking three seventh-century churches at Mastara, Zuart'noc', and Mren, the chapter carefully explores their physical setting, epigraphy, and relief sculpture. The chapter underlines the strong "exteriority" of Armenian monuments, produced not only through exterior relief sculpture and inscriptions but also through high podia, porticoes, exterior niches, paved walkways and plazas, and nearby stela monuments.
