St Gayane Church

7th Century at Echmiadzin

Gregory the Illuminator & the Monasteries & Khachkars of Armenia

October 2nd 2017
Gregory the Illuminator & the Monasteries & Khachkars of Armenia. Punished for the sins of his father...thrown into a pit to die...15 years in that hell hole surviving on scraps from an anonymous woman...removed to pray to heal a mad king...changing the course of history in so doing... me climbing down a skinny hole into that pit where he was imprisoned...they said it was only six metres ... read more

Asia » Armenia » West » Echmiadzin

Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Otto... ... read more

4th October 2017

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

Many churches
I must have seen a few of the churches you visited when I was in Armenia 20 years ago. I recognize some of the names but I can't recall any details. But your blog still brings back many memories. Thanks for sharing it with us./Ake

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Many churches
Hi Ake. I danced through Armenia photographing as many churches as possible but not all could make the cut for this blog. Perchance to say if you visit Armenia again (much closer to Sweden than Oz) you can have a field day capturing the many I missed. A country of many more monasteries and 10,000 khachkars...had to leave many for the more obsessed!!!

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