Deghdznut Monastery

Deghdznut Monastery is located southwest of Kirants village, Tavush Region, Armenia, 9 km NW from Acharkut village. From here, a panorama of forest-covered mountains opens, and in front of it, the historical Berdakar, the former fortress of the princes of Mahkanaberd, rises on the steep cliffs. Historical and other information about the construction of the monument group and its past have not reached us, but based on the style of the monuments, it can be attributed to the 13th century, this date is also confirmed by several donation inscriptions.

Deghdzut Monastery was one of the significant spiritual and cultural centers of Kayen province of historical Armenia. with the perfection of architectural forms, the splendor of external decoration and ornaments, this group of monuments, together with Makaravank, occupy a prominent place in the history of Armenian art.

A cross is carved on the door jamb of the main church, which is decorated with fine floral and geometrical sculptures. On the north side of the entrance to the monastery is a unique cross-stone bearing the signature of Paul and the city masters. Khachkar fell from the pedestal a long time ago and broke into several parts. In 1948, the archaeologists investigating the monument group deciphered most of the khachkar inscription by connecting the fragments, and it was found that it was erected during the construction of the monastery. In the information about the foundation of the monastery, two names are mentioned, the first one is the servant Atabek Sadun (1260 - 1280), and the other one is Ter-Hovhannes D., the leader of the Haghbat monastery. (1257 - 1280). The name of the founder of the monastery, Reverend Arakel, is mentioned in other records of Deghdzut in 1275 and 1292. His grave is located in the vestibule of the church and the tombstone was broken due to the impact of falling stones, but the two-line undated inscription is completely decipherable. Deghdzut monastery as a spiritual and cultural center reached its peak especially during the reign of Prince Amirspasalar Sadun of Mahkanaberd. It is known from old manuscripts that the monastery was also a center of writing during the time of the Reverend Arakel. It is believed that Deghdzut as a spiritual center and. The center of writing continued its existence in later centuries as well.

Photo By: Cosmo Deus