The Monastery and other Khor Virap, Armenia Things to Do Tips

The monastery is from the 12th century. According to the legend this is where king Trdates III kept St Gregory the Illuminator imprisoned in a well for 12 years because he was practicing Christianity. Trdates III later released Gregory and Armenia became the first Christian state in 301.

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In front of Khor Virap visitors can buy pigeons. Someone told me they are sacrificed, someone told me they were let to fly at an outdoor altar.
Anyway, at Khor Virap there is a place were animals (for ex sheep) are sacrificed.
It is believed that these old pagan rites were accepted because Armenia became a Christian country very early and by keeping some old traditions it was easier to get people to convert to the new religion.

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I visited Khor Virap by car which is the best and easiest way. In the morning I had been to Garni and Geghard and in the afternoon it was time for Khor Virap. Khor Virap is a couple of km off the road to the village/town Ararat. You could take a bus heading for Ararat and be dropped by the road. Then you will have a long and hot walk (no shadows around) to the monastery. If you go by public transport, make sure that there are busses going back to Yerevan.

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