Khor Virap

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Khor Virap ("Խոր Վիրապ" in Armenian, meaning deep dungeon) monastery is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Armenia. Its location, near the closest point to Mount Ararat within Armenian borders, offers a spectacular view of the mountain, the national symbol of Armenia.

It is also significant as being the place of Gregory the Illuminator's 13-year imprisonment, after which Gregory, by converting the King Trdat III to Christianity in the year 301, made Armenia the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion.

In the mid-1960, volunteers for the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia helped renovate/restore the cathedral.

Kohrvirab.jpg Khor Virap and Mount Arart in July 2007	IMG 0825.JPG Khor Virap with Ararat	KhorVirap-view.jpg A view of the Khor Virap monastery	KhorVirap-Astvatsatsin.jpg Astvatsatsin (Mother of God) church
Khor Virap. Astvatsatsin Church.jpg Astvatsatsin Church(Աստվածածին եկեղեցի)	KhorVirap-St Gevork.jpg Sourb Gevork (St. George) chapel