The oldest part of the monastery is the single nave basilica of St. Karapet was founded at the beginning of the fourth century by St. Gregory the Enlightener. The monastery walls are covered with rich lapidary inscriptions. One large engraved text high on the northern wall of one of the monastery’s auxiliary structures reads:...
Mural details from the 13th century Armenian monastery
Mural from the 13th century Armenian monastery Saghamosavank. Saghmosavank monastery stands on the edge of a canyon, dating back to 1215 AD. when by the order of Prince Vache Vachutyan the Surb Sion church was built. The Monastery from west and south sides was surrounded by huge vestibule and library, the composition of which is one...
Noravank Monastery
Noravank (meaning “New Monastery”) is a 13th-century Armenian monastery, located 122km from Yerevan in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu river. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs surrounding the monastery. Noravank was founded in 1205 by Bishop Hovhannes, a former abbot of Vahanavank and became the residence of the Orbelian princes. The architect Siranes and the miniature painter and...
Tatev Monastery
Since I recently watched The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug , I would like to make a post inspired by the beautiful scenery of the movie. With only one exception namely; this being a real place. The Tatev Monastery is an 8th-century monastery located on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev village in Syunik...
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the oldest state-built church in the world. The original vaulted basilica was built in 301-303 by Saint Gregory the Illuminator when Armenia became the first officially Christian country in the world. According to the 5th-century Armenian annals, St. Gregory had a vision of Christ descending from heaven and striking the...
Armenian Cross-stone unearthed
This beautiful Armenian Cross-stone (Khachkar) was unearthed in 2011 by a team of young people from CYMA (Christian Youth Mission to Armenia). Found buried among the ruins of a 12th century monastery Mayravank in the town of Berd in the province of Tavush (Armenian).
Ancient Armenian Churches
Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank (Surb Hovhannes Vank) is an Armenian Apostolic Church monastery located in the village of Ohanavan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. It is situated atop a steep gorge carved by the Kasagh river. The monastery was dedicated to John the Baptist, whom Armenians venerate as their patron-saint. The oldest part of the monastery is...
Darknight by Oshin D. Zakarian
Darknight photo credit : Oshin D. Zakarian In a starry summer night of northern Iran near the border of Armenia, the lonely monastery of Dzordzor is photographed under the Milky Way. The monument which is a part of a group of Armenian monasteries in northwestern Iran, preserved as a World Heritage Site.
