From the worship of Mitra to the Christian relics

Excursion to the fortress of Garni, the monastery of Geghard, the church of St. Hovhannes Mkrtich and the monastery of Sevanavank.

14 The pagan temple of Garni

The complex of the Garni temple, especially the "Takhtn Trdatay" building of ancient times, has been mentioned for centuries in the Armenian literature (Movses Khorenatsi, Yeghishe, Pavstos Buzand, Stepanos Taronetsi Asoghik, Kirakos Gandzaketsi, Vardan Ashkharagir, Mikael Asori, Grigor Daranaghtsi and others).

The temple is covered with basalt tiles, reinforced with lead nails. According to lithographic, biblical and archaeological materials, the temple was built by King Trdat I in the 11th year of his reign in 77 BC.

Alexander Saghinyan considered the ancient pagan temple of Garni "an excellent subject of architectural art", Toros Toramanyan considered it "the Armenian queen of art", and Hakob Manandyan considered it "a glorious remnant of the great Armenian past, which the Armenian people should carefully preserve."

 15. Monastery of Geghard

The monastery complex of Geghard was built as a sanctuary in the early Middle Ages, in the pre-Christian era. According to the legend, the first monastery was founded in the IV century, when Christianity was declared a state religion in Armenia. It was known as the "Ayrivank" or "Monastery of the Caves". The foundation of the monastery is traditionally attributed to the first Catholicos of Armenian church Grigory the Illuminator (301-325), and further prosperity to Sahak Partev (387-439). During this period the monastery was proclaimed a writers' center, a school, a music academy and a place of pilgrimage.

The rock, which serves as the northern wall for the monastery complex, is rich in interior sculptures. In one of his cells, known as the "pool", a cold spring flows. The name "Geghard" is explained by the fact that for 500 years here was kept the sacred Geghard - the "spear of Longinus" (the spear of Destiny), which speared Jesus Christ at the the execution on the Cross.

16. Church of St. Hovhannes Mkrtich (John the Baptist)

The Church of St. Hovhannes Mkrtich is located in the Kotayk region in Abovyan. The groundbreaking of the church was completed on August 24, 2006. The consecration ceremony was held in 2013 on May 14. About 40 sculptors and jewelers took part in sculptural works of the church.

17. Sevanavank

Sevanavank is a monastic complex on the shores of Lake Sevan, in the province of Gegharkunik. The monastery of Sevanavank is located on the peninsula of Sevan and is founded by Gregory the Illuminator in 305.

An inscription on the south wall of the church says it was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, the wife of Prince Vasak of Gabur and the daughter of the Bagratuni King Ashot I.

 On top of a hill, the remains of a domed temple have been preserved. There are many khachkars on the territory of the complex. In 1956-57 the churches were renovated.

18 Haghartsin Monastery

The monastery complex Haghartsin was built in the X-XIII centuries. The complex consists of three churches, two inner courtyards (one destroyed), a refectory, a prayer hall, khachkars.

According to the historian Kirakos Gandzaketsi, the monastery flourished at the end of the 12th century - at the beginning of the 13th century during the procession of Khachatur Taronatsi. It is mentioned as an educational center among the leading cultural centers of the 13th century.