Here are presentations of local monasteries
Pupils from Armenia have created a video about Meteora Trikala in Greece
Hovhannavank
Hovhannavank is an Armenian Apostolic Church monastery situated in the village of Ohanavan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. It is located on a gorge carved by the Kasagh river. The monastery's title comes from the combination of the name Hovhan and the word “vank,” which in Armenian means monastery. The monastery was dedicated to John the Baptist, whom Armenians consider their patron-saint. The monastery is situated on the edge of the Qasakh River Canyon, near the village of Ohanavan.
The Cathedral has a cruciform floor project, with two story sacristies in each of the four extensions of the church. The dome has an umbrella-shaped roof, which is speical to Armenian churches. Cathedral’s essential decorationsconsidt of carved scenes from the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.
Hovhannavank Cathedral belongs to the category of “Gandzasar-style” ecclesiastical edifices which were constructed almost at the same period in different parts of Armenia, and were endowed with similar compositional and decorative features. Those consist of umbrella-shaped dome, cruciform floor plan, narthex, and high-relief of a large cross on one of church’s walls. In 1918, the dome and the southern wall were destroyed by an earthquake and were restored in the 1990s.
The monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa in Kastoria
The Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa is built on the steep slope of the peninsula in the middle of the lake. It was built in 1082 by Emperor Alexios Komnenos when he arrived in space to free Kastoria from the Normands. For centuries the access to the monastery was only by boat from the lake. It was more accessible to residents of the opposite village called Mavrovo who take care of it and so it was named Mavriotissa.
The oldest buildings of the monastery is the central church of the Virgin and the chapel of St. John the Theologian.
It's one-room churches with very rich and impressive painting made in the 12th and 13th century. Typical is the depiction of the Second Coming Of Christ and many events and miracles from the life of Christ. External frescoes depict the root of Jesse and made around 1260.
Next to the church kept traditional buildings of the monastery.
Nick Kesidis
Khor Virap in Armenia
Khor Virap is one of the most famous sanctuaries in Armenia. The history of Khor Virap is connected with the adoption of christianity, and with the educational and cultural development. Khor virap is situated near the village Poqr Vedi, on the left shore of the river Araks. Here was the citadel of ancient town Artashat. For 13 years here suffered Grigor the Illuminator. In 287 when trdat the Great came to Mats Haik, Grigor was with him, who later became the comrade-in-arms of the king.After the victory, in the war against Persia, king Trdat suggested sacrificing for the godess Anahit. Grigor. Grigor refused and the king ordered to take him Khor Virap. Here he lived for 13 years.Some years later the king got sick. Soon the sister of Trdat saw in her dream that only Grigor could cure her brother. So they brought Grigor to Vaghashapat. In 301 King Trdat made Christianity the state religion . Gregoryr the illuminator who had alredy gained the king's support, made Christianity the state religion. In the 13th sentury he built a monastery. Since the 13th sentury Khor virap has become pan-armenian cultural and educational center. The pit (virap) was full of snakes and insects where the convicts wrew imprisoned. From the monastery one can enjoy the magnificent view of mountain Ararat. Khor Virap is one of the most famous tourism sites in Armenia.
Tamara Maucharian