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Gegarcoon

Two churches on the Peninsula of Lake Sevan

At a distance of about 3 kilometers from the shore, in the desert then the north-western tip of the Gegamian Sea, bend the source of the river, the lonely rumped up a small rocky island, barely reached five hundred steps in the diameter. The island was uninhabited, only occasionally planted on him, climbing on the rocks, fishermen, and sometimes they were hidden from justice.

At the very end of the VIII century, several monks who built a chapel and several keys settled here. The position of the island was so convenient - separate, with rich fish waters, not far from the shopping path that the increased monastery began to raise the monastery on the island. The construction was taken from the walls of fortifications, having wrapped off for this in a rock around the island of the ledge and putting large stone blocks on it. The wall of the Oyoisal Island, the watchtower with a small gate was built above her.

After that, three churches, celi and economic buildings were erected. The Church of Surb Arakelotz and Acycin came from those times to the present day. These are small cross-domed facilities with three apsides and a rectangular Western advance. The character of the masonry made in the Church of Actitzacin from purely trees and well-fitted stones in seams is distinguished. It can be assumed that the laying of walls of roughly treated stones was at the time in the area in the area of \u200b\u200bLake Sevan, it was used in the majority of the construction of the monastery, it was combined in churches with a purely chops of the drums and the same cornices and arches; An example of the ensuing Church of Surb Arake Lo C. The life of this monastery is not particularly rich in events; The brightest refers to the end of the 9th century, when in it for some time the Armenian king Ashot Iron. Hence, they were given the battle of the Arabs, who came to the shore of Sevan. In this battle, besides the small detachment of the Armenian king, monastic brethren participated. The victory over the Arabs was complete, the monks took her to the will of Providence, Ashot - to their valor, the story had not yet reasoned.

Arabs, Horde Tamerlane, and then the Persians often worried and ruined the coast. It happened to get to the monastery. Monastic brethren defended, beat up raids, and the monastery lived, losing, however, with time, his walls, which, in all likelihood, happened in the XVI-XVII centuries. This existence of this church monastery stopped in 1930, when the last monk left the island. The monks of Gegarkica were skillful healers. Some of their recipes and a century later use locals. Here are just two of them recorded by gathers of folklore.

The largest in the Caucasus (area of \u200b\u200b1240 km², depth up to 83 m). It is located at an altitude of 1900 m and from all sides is surrounded by mountain ranges: from the North-West - Pambaki, from the North-East - Sevansky and therajuni, from the West and South - Geghamian and Vardeniss.

Lake Sevan is the only major guaranteed source of fresh water in Armenia and the largest in the entire Caucasus. 28 rivers flow into the lake, one river soddan (Araks influx) flows.

Schortin's underwater threshold and two capes in the lake - Artanisha (from the East) and Noraatusky (from the west) is divided into two parts: Small and Big Sevan.

Small seman is distinguished by great depth and rugged shores. It is in this part that the larger volume of the lake is concentrated. The deepest place Sevan is located near the foot of the Range of therack.

In the Big Sevean, the bottom is smooth, the shore is small, the depth does not exceed 30 meters.

Lake Sevan known to the coast of cultural monuments and recreational resources: mineral springs, clean air, beautiful nature. An artificial forest (pine, wide breed and sea buckthorn) is growing on the shore.

Sevanavank Monastery (Sevanavank) - Monastery on the northeast coast, 3 km from the city.

Initially, the monastery was built on the southern shore of a small island. After the artificial drainage of Lake Sevan, which began in the Stalinist period, the water level fell by 20 meters, and the island turned into the peninsula.

At the end of the 6th century, several monks settled on the island of Sevan, who built their cells and chapels here. Thanks to the favorable position of the island, their number has increased, the active construction of the monastery began. For the construction of walls in a rock around the island, a ledge was cut down to which large stone blocks were laid. The wall of Odaisala island, and the watchtower with a gate was built over it. Next, the monks built three churches, cells and economic buildings.

At the end of the IX century, the king of Armenia Ashot Iron lived in the monastery for some time. Next to the walls of the monastery, he gave the battle of the Arab soldiers who came to the shore of Sevan.

In the XVI-XVII centuries, the walls of the monastery were destroyed, and in 1930 the last monk left the island.

Today the monastery is reiterated again, while it has a spiritual seminary named after Vazgen I.

Two small trochappsid-dome churches are preserved to this day - Surb Arakelytz and Surb ARBSACIN (871-874). Carved wooden doors of the Church of Arakelyts and carved capitals of her gavit are kept in the historic Museum in Yerevan.

Ayravank Monastery (Hayravank Monastery) - A small monastery on the West Bank of Lake Sevan, located 25 km south of the city, next to the village of Airavank.

The Airavank Monastery Complex was founded in the 9th century and consists of a church, chapel and the rifle.

Near the monastery there are many khachkarov and tombstones that are part of a small cemetery.

We started our way to "according to valleys and on the rise" of Armenia from Sevan. I do not like it very much when you say phrases like "If you were not there, then we can say that you have not seen Paris / London / Odessa, etc." But if you are a supporter of this approach, then you can say about Sevan and Armenia :)

Sevan is insanely handsome and magnifying. Especially if you are lucky with the weather and will be visible to the surrounding mountains. We are not very lucky this time. But still the impression is gorgeous.

Some cognitive information or what Wikipedia says to us: Sevan - the biggest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca. Sevan is located at an altitude of 1900 m; The area of \u200b\u200b1240 km², the depth is up to 99 m. 28 rivers fall into the lake, one river is sacred.

The path from Yerevan to Sevan takes 40 minutes, the road is good, the surroundings are picturesque, so we arrived at the lake completely not tired. All the shore is built up with some kind of hurriches and camping, that is, at first glance, do not come to the lake. But ... the third time I am in Sevan and the third time we approach some very cool turbase, Arsen is something in Armenian to be guards (as far as I understand something like "We will quickly see and go away") and we Allowed directly by car to drive into the territory of the turbase directly to the water.
You can ride on the village of Sevan, really I never tried it :)
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I usually just sit on the pier and admire the lake.
In May, the water is still cold enough, but you can bathe. Three years ago, approximately at the same time, I was bought here, but this time we were with the children of Arsen, and I decided not to shock them as an early opening of the swimming season, although I really wanted :)

From the turbase is clearly visited by the Sevan Peninsula
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If you look pretty, then on the crest of the hill to the left you can see the buildings. This is a monastery of Sevanavank, where we will go further. This is how it looks like some approximation:
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Until recently, the fate of Sevan was sad. In the 20s, the government decided to use Sevan's water in the national economy for land irrigation, and the level of the lake is lower than 45 meters in order to freeze land for planting gardens. In the thirties, the Sevan-dedication Irrigation and Energy Complex earned. In those days, the water level decreased by an average of 1 meters per year. The goal was to leave a small lake with an area of \u200b\u200b299 km2 and a perimeter of 80 km. Just pipets, I think. Thank God in the 50th years this project revised, the decline in the level decided to stop, and after and at all decided to raise the water level. Then there was a disintegration of the union, the problems of the economy, the war ... Since 2006, the water level in Sevan began to rise by an average of 25-30 cm per year. True, the territories began to sleep, which for many years were land. So now the coast of Sevan looks like our Volga in spring in the flood:
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So, honestly, I do not know, it's good or bad ...

On the turbase, we drove coffee and went towards Sevanavanka. Yes, finally, I photographed the "car from childhood" Rafik. It's hard to imagine how many years he is, but it looks quite good :)
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Sevanavank find very easy. It is necessary to go along the highway on the diligene and, as soon as the wonderful sign is passing, which is endless with the go:
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although in fact it turns out to be a reduction from Peninsula of Sevan (that is, the peninsula), turn to the right. On the peninsula there is one road, so do not get lost, but you will arrive right at the foot of the hill.
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Here leave the car and on foot. The path is not easy, the monastery is located on the top of the hill, so rising high:
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But believe me, it is worth it! So be patient, and go ahead! Moreover, as the species lifted, there will be one more beautiful. :)
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"Story page": When in 854 (301 years in the Armenian calendar) Armenian king Trudat III Great accepted Christianity from Grigor Lusavorich and proclaimed his state religion, monasteries and churches were built in Armenia. Grigor himself was equipped with the first two churches of Sevanavanka: St. Harutyun and St. Karapet. In those days, the peninsula was an island. The expansion of the monastery is connected with the name of Tsarevna Miriam, the daughter of the founder of the Bagratuni dynasty of Ashot I Bagratuni. It was she who raised the Council of Sogram. Mashtots for the construction of beautiful churches: Surb Arakelotz (Holy Apostles) and Surb Ariczacin (Virgin ", which were built in 874. And if only foundations remained from the first two churches, then Surb Arakelotz and Surb Assocycin remained to the present day. (To be accurate, then I must say that Surb A andcacin was destroyed in 1931 and a sanatorium was built from her stones, but the church was restored in the 90s, so now she looks like in the 9th century).

Let's walk through the monastery.
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Left Surb Azrecin, on the right of Surb Arakelotz

Sevanavank - the place is very popular with tourists, it is always crowded here, and you can notice not only ordinary tourists, but also the priests of various denominations.
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By the way about the "denominations". I was told in Armenia that Orthodox people are completely "officially" allowed to pray in Armenian churches, as well as Christians from Armenia are allowed to pray in Orthodox churches.

Let's go to Surb Arakelotz.
Immediately affects the entrance door with the finest wood thread.
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In the church, I didn't really work photos, but I still show them. So for history
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The walls of the church lie fragments of the ancient Khachkarov (cross-stones).
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About Khachkars generally the conversation is special. Each stone is not like others, each stone can be considered for a long time, admiring the lace patterns. I, honestly, I do not understand absolutely how this can be out of stone!
By the way, being inside the Arakelotz, be sure to pay attention to Khachkar, located at the left wall (I photographed it, but the photo did not work at all, so I will not show it). This is a very unusual Khachkar. Usually, the cross-stones do not depict Christ, and cut crosses and patterns. There is only a few Khachkarov with the face of Christ. And one of them is stored in Sevanavana. Moreover, in Sevanavankovsky, Christ looks somewhat "strange": he is with long braids and with very diagonal eyes. The church caretaker explained to us what was done in case the Tatar-Mongola captured the monastery: there would be hope that he would not be destroyed.
Here are some more Khachkarov Sevanavanka:
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And the monastery itself from the top of the hill:
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And this is the view from the walls of the monastery to Sevan and the parking lot :) Yes, if you are on the far shore, distinguish your yellow roof, then you have seen a tour user, which I said above. :)
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When we descended from the monastery, we noticed a large group of tourists who photographed against the background of Sevan. At the feet of the poor photographer lay a bunch of cameras, which he in turn and photographed the whole group. I also decided to shoot them all:
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And during the shooting process I saw her :) Of course I could not not take a picture of this woman separately :)
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Well, finally, another photo of Sevanavanka. This time from the foot of the hill
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That's all I wanted to tell today. I hope it was interesting.

The day after tomorrow I will talk about Lake Partaries and the monastery of Agracin. And tomorrow (or rather today :)) so that you do not miss me without me, share a few recipes for Armenian cuisine. To new meetings!

Sevanavank Monastery, one of the main attractions of Lake Sevan. It is located 6 km east of the city of Sevan, on the Sevan Peninsula. The name Sevanavank presumably arose from the phrase "Sit" (black) and "WANK" (monastery). Walls of monastery buildings are black. It is worth noting that around the entire monastery complex there were fortress walls with a guard tower allowed in the XVI-XVII centuries. The history of this monastery is connected with the adoption of Christianity in this country. When in 854 (301 in the Armenian calendar), Armenian king Trudat III Great accepted Christianity and proclaimed his state religion. In Armenia, monasteries and churches were built everywhere. The Monastery Complex Sevanavank founded Grigory the educator, the first Armenian Catholicos. He also built the first two churches here: St. Harutyun and St. Carapete. From them to this day only ruins are preserved. The expansion of the monastery is associated with the name of Tsarevna Miriam, the daughter of the founder of the Bagratuni dynasty - Ashot I Bagratuni. It was at her funds that Surb Arakelotz (Holy Apostles) and Surb ARBSCIN (Virgin) were built in 874. Princess Mariam Dala Vomet to build 30 churches in memory of the dead husband. The Church of Surb Arakelytz and Surb Acycin remained to the present day. These are small trochappsid crosses-dome churches. The character of the masonry made in the Church of Surb Assocycin is distinguished from purely cramped and well-fitted stones in seams. Unlike them, the monastery Sevanavank is quite modest and small in size. The roof is made of red tiles, and his little silver cross crosses. Inside the decorative elements of the finish of the Middle Ages are preserved. This fact makes it popular among travelers. From a sightseeing platform, which is a domestic monastery courtyard, overlapping views of the lake and local surroundings.

Armenia is an amazing country. It is literally filled with architectural monuments, masterpieces of Christian architecture. One of these pearls was the magnificent temple on Lake Sevan.

History of a unique monument

The monks began the construction of their monastery around the VIII century. On the coast of the cold lake, they built a few keys. For religious rites, novices built a chapel.
A full shelter of Christians Monastery Sevanavank in Armenia began to 874, he was opened by Princess Mariam. Several centuries later, the temple abode was completely destroyed. The monastery was revived closer to our time, with it open its own spiritual seminary.

Admire the masterpiece of ancient architecture

A small old monastery is different from the luxurious architectural monuments of Armenia. His charm creates a dark stone, nature around. The main wealth of Sevanavanka was two churches: the Holy Apostle, the Holy Virgin.
Folded from a roughly treated stone temples do not have a beautiful finish. They are simple, harsh, like a cool water of the lake. But the ancient walls keep the memory of Christian chants and the majestic szvuk historical events.
From here, many sightseeing routes of the lake coast begin. Amazing views are opening with the monastery hill. Blue sky, blue water, mountains in the haze create a feeling of infinity. Below is the beach, volleyball courts, but bathing in a cold lake is possible only in July and August. The rest of the time, tourists admire the beautiful landscape.
Hiking excursions by the peninsula on which the monastery is located, like lovers of simple and unpretentious rest. On the coast of the lake there are hotels and tourism for people with different sufficiency.

Road to Sevanavank

First, tourists need to get to. Lake Sevan is located about 60 km from the city. The easiest way to get to the monastic complex is to agree with a taxi driver or minibus. Picturesque landscapes will scream the path and fill the travelers to the peace.

Route from Yerevan to Sevanavank on the map

Another route consists of several stages:
Yerevan Airport;
Metro - to the Northern Station;
Minibus or bus to Sevan.
The comfortable road ends on the coast. Further, tourists plunge into the primordial world of the monastery. Travelers are worthwhile to be topically clothes and headdresses, because the climate Sevan resembles Baikal.