Khor Virap and Ararat (Ararat province - Armenia)
N 39° 52.701 E 044° 34.562
38S E 463745 N 4414341
The reverse side of this Armenian 50 drams commemorative coin depicts symbol of this oldest Christian country, Khor Virap Monastery, located on the foot of biblic Ararat Mountain.
Waymark Code: WMQEBD
Location: Armenia
Date Posted: 02/15/2016
Views: 3
The reverse side of this Armenian 50 drams commemorative coin depicts symbol of this oldest Christian country, Khor Virap Monastery, located on the foot of biblic Ararat Mountain.
The Khor Virap (meaning deep pit or "deep well") is an Armenian Apostolic Church monastery located in the Ararat valley in Armenia, near the border with Turkey, about 8 km south of Artashat, Ararat Province. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholicos.
Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Grigor Lusavorich, who later became Saint Gregory the Illuminator, was initially imprisoned here for 13 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the proselytizing activity in the country. In the year 301, Armenia was the first country in the world to be declared a Christian nation. A chapel was initially built in 642 AD at the site of Kirat Virap by Nerses III the Builder as a mark of veneration to Saint Gregory. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662, the larger chapel known as the "St. Astvatsatsin" (Holy Mother of God) was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery, the refectory and the cells of the monks. Now, regular Church services are held in this church. It is probably the most visited pilgrimage site in Armenia. [wiki]