Aghjots Monastery: A Medieval Armenian Sanctuary

Aghjots Monastery, also known as Surb Stepanos, is a medieval Armenian monastic complex located within the Khosrov State Reserve, a short walk from the hamlet of Mets Gilanlar in the Ararat Province. According to local legend, the monastery was founded by Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) in the 4th century on the site where Stepanos, an attendant of Saint Hripsime, was martyred.The present monastic complex dates back to the 13th century, with most of it commissioned in 1217 by Prince Grigor Khaghbakian and his wife Princess Zaz. The complex comprises the main church of Surp Stepanos (Saint Stephen), the church of Saints Paul and Peter, and an adjacent gavit (a type of Armenian church porch or narthex). The Surp Stepanos church, built in the early 13th century, features a cruciform plan and a vaulted structure. The Church of Saints Peter and Paul was constructed in 1270 by Prince Vasak, their son.Over the centuries, Aghjots Monastery has faced numerous challenges. It was sacked by Persians in 1603 and later restored. The earthquake of 1679, which devastated the region, also damaged the monastery. Further destruction occurred in the 18th century and during the Armenian-Tatar massacres of 1905-1906. Today, the monastery stands in ruins, a testament to its resilience and historical significance. Despite its ruined state, the monastery retains its architectural beauty, with intricate stone carvings, khachkars (cross-stones), and the unique 14th-century reliefs of Apostles Peter and Paul.