Khor Virap

Name: Khor Virap
Monument type: Monastery complex
Region: Ararat Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Khor Virap

Other nomination: Khor Virap monastery

Monument type: Monastery complex

Region: Ararat

Community: Khor Virap, Pokr Vedi village

Location: It is located 1.5 km west of Lusarat village, Ararat Marz, RA. It was founded on the left side of the Araks River, on the eastern slope of one of the hills of the historical capital of Artashat, in the citadel area.

Preservation: It is a functioning church, the seat of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese.

Coordinates: 39°52′42″ N 44°34′34″ E

Altitude: 875 m

Era and chronology: Early Middle Ages to Late Middle Ages: VII-XVII centuries.

Khor Virap: Tracing the Path of Divinities

As you approach the sacred grounds of Khor Virap, a hushed reverence envelops you, much like the silence that once echoed through the storied chambers where Gregory the Illuminator languished.

This venerable Armenian monastery complex is not merely a place where history unfolds before you; it’s a pilgrimage into the very heart of Armenia’s spiritual legacy and the transformative journey of a man named Gregory, whose name resonates through the annals of time.

Be prepared to embark on a journey through the echoes of the past, a journey that will illuminate the sacred significance of Khor Virap and the life-altering experiences of Gregory the Illuminator.

Nestled on the eastern slope of a historical hill in the Ararat region of Armenia, the Khor Virap Monastery is a place where ancient legends and rich history meet, creating a profound sense of spiritual significance.

This magnificent complex, a true testament to Armenia’s enduring faith and cultural heritage, has witnessed the passage of time and the transformation of an entire nation.

At an altitude of 875 meters, Khor Virap reigns majestically, only 1.5 kilometers west of Lusarat village. As a fully functioning church, it serves as the seat of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese, a testament to the enduring strength of Armenian Christianity.

The roots of Khor Virap Monastery delve deep into the annals of history, spanning from the Early Middle Ages to the Late Middle Ages, encompassing the centuries from the 7th to the 17th. However, its significance stretches beyond mere chronology.

Khor Virap is one of Armenia’s most sacred sanctuaries and a revered pilgrimage site, closely associated with the country’s conversion to Christianity and the legacy of Grigor I Partev, known as the “Enlightener.”

The monastery’s story is interwoven with the legendary imprisonment of Gregory the Illuminator, the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church. For thirteen long years, he languished in the Khor Virap dungeon, a place surrounded by serpents and scorpions.

This harrowing ordeal, with a backdrop of the Ararat Valley’s breathtaking beauty, transformed Gregory into a symbol of faith, resilience, and spiritual strength.

Upon his release, Gregory embarked on a mission to spread Christianity throughout Armenia, replacing pagan temples with crosses and churches.

The journey from the depths of the dungeon to the heights of religious leadership is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit.

Khor Virap is not just a place of worship but also a symbol of education, science, and writing. In the 13th century, Vardan Areveltsi founded a higher school within the monastery, nurturing the minds of scholars such as Yesayi Nchetsi, Hovhannes Yerznkatsi, Gevorg Skevratsi, and Nerses Mshetsi.

This center of learning added another layer of cultural and intellectual significance to Khor Virap’s rich tapestry.

The centuries have taken their toll on the monastery’s structures, and the 17th century marked a period of revitalization.

Reverend Davit II Virapetsi undertook the task of rebuilding the complex, transforming it into a harmonious blend of religious and fortification structures. The surrounding walls, adorned with seven round pyramids, lent the monastery an air of protection and grandeur.

Notably, the remarkable architectural features of the complex include a cylindrical stone structure known as the oldest stone-domed structure in Armenian architecture. The deep dungeon, with its niche and vertical walls, stands as a testament to time’s relentless passage.

St. Grigor Church, replacing an earlier chapel, showcases the evolution of Armenian ecclesiastical architecture.

The heart of the monastery is the St. Astvatsatsin Church, reconstructed with a domed hall and vaulted repositories on each side of the altar.

The facades of this church bear a unique multi-figure bas-relief painting, depicting the triumph of Christianity in Armenia. Gregory the Illuminator, King Tiridates III, and Queen Ashken are immortalized in stone, providing a visual history of the nation’s conversion to Christianity.

Khor Virap’s legacy was further upheld by Catholicos Simeon of Yerevan, who oversaw its repair in 1765. In the 19th century, a three-arched hall was replaced by a columned belfry, adding another layer of architectural richness to the complex.

In recent decades, extensive efforts have been made to restore and preserve the Khor Virap Monastery. The roofs, congregation cells, and dilapidated structures have been carefully repaired, ensuring that this historical treasure endures for generations to come.

Beyond its architectural and historical significance, Khor Virap holds a cherished place in Armenian folklore.

The story of Gregory the Illuminator’s imprisonment and eventual triumph over adversity is etched in the collective memory of the Armenian people. The dungeon, filled with serpents and scorpions, serves as a symbol of the enduring human spirit, a testament to the power of faith, and the ability to transform darkness into light.

FACTS:

❈ Khor Virap Monastery, in Armenia, is a place of deep historical and spiritual significance.

❈ It sits at an altitude of 875 meters, serving as the seat of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese.

❈ The monastery is closely tied to Armenia’s conversion to Christianity and the legacy of Grigor I Partev.

❈ Gregory the Illuminator’s imprisonment and subsequent transformation into a spiritual leader are central to its history.

❈ Khor Virap was also a center of education, science, and writing in the 13th century.

❈ The complex has seen periods of revitalization and boasts unique architectural features.

❈ Catholicos Simeon of Yerevan oversaw its repair in 1765, adding to its historical layers.

❈ Extensive restoration efforts have been made to preserve this historical treasure.

❈ Khor Virap is not only an architectural marvel but also a symbol of faith, resilience, and transformation in Armenian folklore.

🔍 Research history

Khor Virap is mentioned by historian Agathanghegos, Hovhannes Draskhanakertsi, in the Late Middle Ages it was mentioned by Zakaria Aguletsi, as well as by Ghevond Alishan.

🧱 Archaeological description

Location
Khor Virap, Khor Virap monastery, architectural monument, monastery-fortress of the XVII century in the Vostan Armenian province of Ayrarat province of Great Armenia, on the left side of the Araks river near the village of Lusarat, on one of the hills of the historical city of Artashat (now about 1 km north of the village of Lusarat in the Ararat province of Armenia).

Stratigraphy
According to Agathangelos, the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned for 13 years in the Khor Virap dungeon surrounded by snakes and scorpions. After proclaiming Christianity as the state religion, he and Tiridates III set out to spread Christianity in the kingdom. Gregory the Illuminator destroyed the pagan temples; he erected crosses on the site, in Artashat inclusive to be worshiped instead of idols, and then built churches in those places.

In around 642 Catholicos Nerses III erected a chapel on the sacred site: according to architect M. Mnatsakanyan, it is the circular central structure, made of white limestone, with 8 columns inside, described by the X century Arab historian Al-Mukaddasi. The chapel had some similarities to Zvartnots with its spatial composition and structural principle. A vaulted chapel was built on the site of the destroyed building in 1662, still standing today. The entrance to the right of the main sanctuary of the chapel leads to the lower floor through the vertical stairs (currently metal), where the dome-like dungeon is with 4.4 m diameter and 6 m deep. The pyramidal wall has also been preserved from the complex with the refectory, cells and other auxiliary monastic structures placed along its walls. St. Astvatsatsin main church is inside the wall, in the center with the belfry attached to it from the west.

Besides being an important holy place, Khor Virap has become a pan-Armenian center of education and science since the XIII century: Vardan Areveltsi founded a higher school in the monastery in 1255, where prominent students like Vardan Areveltsi, Yesayi Nchetsi, Hovhannes Yerznkatsi, Gevorg Skevratsi, Nerses Mshetsi studied: later he raised the Khor Virap school to a new level.

The monastery buildings were damaged because of the difficult political and economic situation in Armenia in the XVI century. In 1666-1669, Rev. Davit. Virapetsi built the monastery walls and the buildings inside.

In 1669, the dredging works started from Virap (dungeon) launching the construction of St. Grigor Church instead of the chapel built on it in the XIV century. The dungeon has about 4.5 m diameter and 6.5 m depth. It is externally zoned with limestone slabs, has inscriptions and high sculptures.

The thorough reconstruction of the central Saint Astvatsatsin Church was completed in 1703. At the end of the XIX century, the columned belfry was built next to the western facade of that church.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the monastery walls and other buildings were repaired with the efforts of Vazgen I, Catholicos of All Armenians.

Architecture
A monastery was founded and a congregation established on Virap in the V century, although it has been a place of pilgrimage since Gregory the Illuminator’s death (325/326). According to the X century historian-catholicos Hovhannes Draskhanakertsi, Nerses III the Builder built a “temple of holiness” on Virap in 642, considered the earliest building of the Virap complex (later destroyed). The structures of Khor Virap were damaged caused by the Armenian political and economic problems in the XVI-XVII centuries. The long-time (1660-1695) leader of the monastery, Reverend Davit II Virapetsi (Tpkhisetsi) rebuilt the monastery buildings and revived the monastic life in 1666-1669. The surrounding wall of the monastery was built with seven round pyramids and buildings attached to the inside (residential cells, refectory, abbot’s room, utility buildings). The monastery was turned into a fortress to be one of the best examples of the combination of religious and fortification structures in Armenia. In March 1669, the dungeon cleaning and reconstruction works began on the south-western side of the complex under the leadership of merchant and historian Zakaria Aguletsi’s brother, Khoja Shmavon. After the renovation, Virap became a cylindrical stone structure with vertical walls, a niche in the eastern side, with about 4.5 m diameter and 6.5 m height. This III century building is actually the oldest stone domed structure of the Armenian architecture. In the same year the construction of St. Grigor church with a vaulted, hall, gabled roof, started instead of the chapel built on Virap in the XIII century. Based on Zakaria Aguletsi’s information, the church is assumed to be replaced with a vaulted small chapel made of hewn stone in the XIII century: on its site a bigger church with the same design was built in the XVII century. The construction was completed in 1669, and the church was consecrated on 20 September, 1670. An entrance to a deep dungeon opens from the right side of the tabernacle of St. Grigor small church, where you can descend with vertical metal steps. The hole through which the pious widow used to give the daily bread to St. Gregory the Illuminator, has been preserved on the eastern side of his ceiling. The complex renovation works of the monastery continued until 1672, and St. Astvatsatsin main church was built in the center of the yard. St. Astvatsatsin Church and other buildings of the monastery were destroyed by the 1679 Ararat valley extensive earthquake. They were restored by Davit Virapetsi in 1680-1695. The thorough reconstruction of St. Astvatsatsin Church was completed in 1703 to get a composition of a domed hall with vaulted repositories on the right and left sides of the altar, a pair of gables and a rectangular plan. The dome is high, internally cylindrical, externally with a 12-thread drum. The only entrance is from the rear entrance. It is lit through windows open on the facades and the dome. It is built of red and black tuff with hewn stones. The only multi-figure bas-relief painting depicting the victory of Christianity in Armenia is on the eastern facade of St. Astvatsatsin Church. It features Gregory the Illuminator surrounded by angels, King Tiridates III and Queen Ashken. The monastery was repaired by Catholicos of All Armenians Simeon of Yerevan in 1765. At the end of the same century, the three-arched hall built to the west of Astvatsatsin Church was demolished and a columned belfry was built in its place at the beginning of the XX century. Khor Virap monastery has been renovated for several times in recent decades. All the monument group structures, particularly the roofs, the cells of the congregation were repaired in 1959-1961. The area is paved. The dilapidated buildings of the monastery were repaired, the altar was built, the roof of the vaulted basement attached to the southern wall (it has transferred into an observation post) with a panorama of the biblical Mount Ararat opening from there, were repaired in the 1970s and 1980s with the support of Catholicos Vazgen A. Palchyan. Repair works were also carried out in 2001 on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia.

🌍 Significance

It is one of the sacred Armenian sanctuaries, a famous place of pilgrimage related to the Armenian conversion and the name of Grigor I Partev the Enlightener. Khor Virap monastery was also a famous center of education, science and writing.

📜 Traditional legends

In the place of the present monastery there was a prison of the king. According to a legendary story told by V century narrator Agathangelos, at the end of the 3rd century, while persecuting Christians in Armenia, after a long-term torture Tiridates III the Great Armenian Arshakuni king threw Gregory the Illuminator into the “Artashat dungeon”, considered a prison for those condemned to death: Gregory was left there for 14 years. Virap was a deep dungeon full of snakes and poisonous insects, where they threw the condemned. During those years, Tiridates III the Great was infected with a deadly disease and knowing that the Illuminator could heal people, he ordered to release him. Having received the king’s support after coming out of Khor Virap, the Illuminator adopts Christianity as the state religion. Surviving due to the daily bread given by the king’s sister, Khosrovidukht, he leaves Virap, transforms the pig-like king into a human, and brings Christianity to Armenia with the support of Khosrov III, Queen Ashkhen and Princess Khosrovidukht.

📚 Sources

Literature

“Agatanghega History of Armenians” 1909, edited by G. Der-Mkrtchean and St. Kanaeants, Tpghis, Aragatip Mnatsakan Martiroseantsi, 474 pages.
“Armenian History of St. John the Catholicos’ Armenians” 1912, Tiflis, Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR, Armenian Register, 83 pages.
“Christian Armenia” encyclopedia, 2002, Yerevan, pp. 438-440.
Harutyunyan A., Khor Virap Monastery, Yerevan, Tigran Mets, 2017, 263 pages.
Zakaria Aguletsi’s Diary 1938, Yerevan, YSU Publishing House, 2017, 190 pages.
Matevosyan K. 1997, Khor Virap monastery and its writing center, Etchmiadzin, B-G, pp. 174-178.
“Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia” 1979, vol. 5, Yerevan, Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia Publishing House, 720 pages.
Gh. Alishan. 1890, Ayrarat, Natural World of Armenia, Venice, 590 pages.
Hasratyan M. 2001, Khor Virap Monastery, the pre-beginning shrine of the Armenian conversion, “Armenian Saints and Shrines”, Yerevan, Armenia ed. pp.
183-191.
Tumanyan Yu. 1981, Restoration of Stone Chronicles, Yerevan, Hayastan ed., 61 pages.

List of monuments
Ararat 3.49.1.