Back Xorvirab monastırı Azerbaijani Хор Вирап Bashkir Khor Virap Catalan Chor Virap Czech Khor Virap Danish Kloster Chor Wirap German Ĥor-Virapo Esperanto Jor Virap Spanish Hor Virap Estonian صومعه خور ویراپ Persian
| Khor Virap | |
|---|---|
Խոր Վիրապ | |
 Khor Virap with Mount Ararat in background | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Rite | Armenian |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Good |
| Status | functional |
| Location | |
| Location | near Lusarat, Ararat Province, Armenia |
| Country | Armenia |
  Shown within Armenia  Khor Virap (Ararat) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 39°52′42″N 44°34′34″E / 39.87833°N 44.57611°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Original chapel by Nerses III the Builder |
| Style | Armenian |
| Groundbreaking | 642 (original chapel), 1662 (current church) |
| Completed | 17th century |
Khor Virap (Armenian: Խոր Վիրապ, lit. 'deep dungeon'[1]) is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat Plain in Armenia, near the border with Turkey, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Artashat, Ararat Province, within the territory of ancient Artaxata.[2][3] The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of the Armenian Catholicos.[4]
Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that 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.[2][5][6] A chapel was initially built in 642 at the site of Khor 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. Regular church services are held in this church. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Armenia.[6]
- ^ Bedrossian, Matthias (1875). New Dictionary Armenian-English. Venice: Saint Lazarus Armenian Academy. p. 681.
- ^ a b "Armenica.org: Khor Virap". Official web site of Armenia. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ "The Main Sightseeings of Armenia:Khor Virap Monastery" (PDF). Portfolio Enterprise. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
advantour.comwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Khor Virap Monastery". Armenian Travel Bureau. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ a b Noble, pp. 176