Fascinating Geghard Monastery: Rock-Cut Secret Caves, Passages And Hundreds Of Monk Cells

A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – The history of Geghard and traditions that date back to pre-Christian times Armenians were influenced by the Persians and their Zoroastrian religion.

At first, the monument was known as Ayrivank and after the 13^th century, it became known under the name of Geghard (in Armenian: “spear” or “lance”), in memory of the Holy Spear, said to have been stored there.

Jamatun/first rock-cut chamber. Image credit: c a r a m e l  – CC BY-SA 2.0

The Geghard Monastery, located in the valley of the river Azat 30 kilometers East of Yerevan, has been a sanctuary for pilgrims over many centuries and one of Armenia’s greatest spiritual centers. The Church dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary is the oldest, hewn in the rock monument in the Geghard Complex.

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