Tsaghkadzor. Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator

Tsaghkadzor. Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator

While votes are still coming in, let’s continue the storyline of our summer trip to Tsaghkadzor.

The first photo shows a rare phenomenon: grace descending on the photographer. Just kidding - but only partly. In these ancient stones, even a hardened materialist like me can feel the presence of either God or history.

Kecharis Monastery Complex consists of several buildings: the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator and Surb Nshan church. Around them is a half-maintained territory (from the main entrance side) and a half-overgrown area with weeds and bushes (an old cemetery on the side opposite the road).

The other photos show old khachkars - carved stone crosses with floral ornament, where patterns never repeat - and the largest building, the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator itself. If you look closely, you can spot a sundial and an old inscription carved in stone. And those are not the only easter eggs of this place.

Russian-speaking guides often call the church patron George. But for Armenians, “the Illuminator” is Gregory. Near a winter ski resort, you don’t expect to find such an ancient structure - it was built in 1044. Surb Nshan church also has a hunting-scene bas-relief above the entrance, easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.

#placeArmenia #Armenia #Tsaghkadzor