Saint Illuminata Church in Tsovasar: An Armenian Apostolic Church
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.5
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- Armenia
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Armenian
- Site type
- Religious
- Remains
- Church
History
Saint Illuminata church in Tsovasar is an Armenian Apostolic church in Armenia, built in the 9th or 10th century in the Armenian architectural tradition. The Armenian Apostolic Church is an ancient Christian church centered on the Armenian religious tradition. The building stands on the western side of Tsovasar in Gegharkunik Province and is recognized as a cultural monument in Armenia.
The church is also known as Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church. Saint Gregory the Illuminator was the Christian missionary traditionally credited with converting Armenia to Christianity and becoming its first Catholicos, or chief bishop. A renovation carried out in 1286 is recorded by a 13th-century inscription preserved on one of the church walls.
The building was constructed from unhewn stone and has a simple dome. It is associated with a cemetery, where several khachkars and tombstones could still be seen around the church until the end of the 19th century. A khachkar is an Armenian cross-stone, a carved monument bearing a cross and often serving as a religious or commemorative marker.
