Khor Virap is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat Plain in Armenia, near the border with Turkey, approximately 8 kilometers south of Artashat in the Ararat Province. The monastery once housed a theological school and served as the residence of the Catholicos of the Armenian Church.
Historical Significance:
Khor Virap is renowned as a monastery and pilgrimage site due to the imprisonment of Gregory the Illuminator here for 13 years by order of King Tiridates III of Armenia. After his release, Gregory became the religious mentor to the king, and together they led the country’s conversion to Christianity. In 301 AD, Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion. A small chapel was built on the site in 642 AD by Nerses III to honor Gregory, and it has been rebuilt multiple times over the centuries. The Church of the Holy Mother of God was built in 1662 around the ruins of the old chapel and monastery.
Geography:
Khor Virap is situated on a hill in the Pokr Vedi, 4 kilometers from the main highway. It is 30 kilometers away from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The monastery is surrounded by lush green pastures and vineyards and offers a stunning view of Mount Ararat. The Aras River flows nearby, and the monastery faces Aralik in Turkey.
History:
King Artaxias I, the founder of the Artaxiad Dynasty, established the Armenian capital at Artashat around 180 BC. It is believed that Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, played a role in founding Artashat. Artashat remained the capital of the dynasty until the reign of King Khosrov III. After its destruction, the king moved to Dvin. During the reign of King Tiridates III, Gregory was imprisoned for refusing to offer sacrifices to the goddess Anahit and was thrown into Khor Virap to suffer in darkness.
Architecture:
The Church of the Holy Mother of God at Khor Virap is a simple structure with a 12-sided dome. The monastery features a deep well, approximately 6 meters deep, where Gregory was imprisoned. Visitors can access the well via a metal staircase.
Culture and Celebrations:
The release of Gregory is commemorated at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Yerevan. People visit Khor Virap for baptisms or to offer animal sacrifices. The monastery is a popular tourist site, attracting many visitors who release doves from the monastery in hopes that they will fly towards Mount Ararat.
Tourism:
The monastery attracts a large number of tourists, and souvenir stalls are present at the site. In the 1990s, young volunteers from the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia helped in the restoration of the monastery.
Khor Virap continues to draw visitors due to its rich history and picturesque view of Mount Ararat, making it one of the most important religious and historical sites in Armenia.
