Aghjots Monastery

Aghjots Monastery better known as Surb Stepanos (Saint Stepanos), is located in the Ararat Region of Armenia, 7 km south-east of Geghard, in the Khosrov State Reserve. According to tradition, it was founded by Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) in the 4th century. in the beginning as a nunnery. The present monastery was built in the 13th century. It was a religious and cultural center. The monastic complex surrounded by walls consists of the main St. Stepanos Church, from the vestibule, St. From Poghos-Petros church, residential and economic buildings.

Surb Stepanos Church (Saint Stepanos Church) - the main church, built in 1212-1217. It has a cruciform interior, 4 corners and a one-story vaulted structure. It stands out for its simple interior and exterior architecture.

Vestibule - attached to the main church on the west side. It was built in 1217-1234. It belongs to the type of four-column porches, the roof of which was realized by two pairs of intersecting arches. Only a part of the eastern walls has been preserved.

Surb Poghos Petros church (St. Pogos Petros) - is one of the most remarkable monuments of the complex. Next to S. Stephen's Church from the north side. 1270 was preserved on the fateful stone of the western door. forged construction protocol. It is a vaulted structure with a simple plan, a semicircular senior altar on the eastern side, and vaults on both sides. The church is remarkable for the two sides of the western entrance: St. Paul and St. with high sculptures of the apostles Peter, which are among the exceptional examples of the sculptural art of medieval Armenia. A large cemetery rich in khachkars is located around the monastery complex.