Armenia Khor Virab monastery

4 images 2 contributors Shoot with care

Ilya Melnik

Shoot with care

About this spot
Khor Virab Monastery is an ancient Armenian monastery located in the Ararat Plain of Armenia, near the closed border with Turkey. Situated atop a small hill, the monastery offers panoramic views of Mount Ararat, an iconic symbol of Armenian identity. Khor Virab's history dates back to the 4th century when Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of Armenia, was imprisoned in a pit (virab) for 13 years by King Tiridates III. After surviving the ordeal, Gregory converted the king to Christianity, leading to the adoption of Christianity as Armenia's state religion in 301 AD. The monastery complex includes the Church of the Holy Mother of God (Surp Astvatsatsin) and the Chapel of Saint Gregory, which houses the pit where Gregory was imprisoned. Khor Virab is an important pilgrimage site for Armenians and a popular tourist attraction for its cultural and historical significance, as well as its stunning views of Mount Ararat.

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