Khor Virap

Khor Virap (Armenian: Խոր Վիրապ, lit. 'deep dungeon') is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat Plain in Armenia, near the border with Turkey, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Artashat, Ararat Province, in the territory of ancient Artaxata. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of the Catholicos, the head of the Armenian Church. Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator (the patron saint of Armenia) was imprisoned there for 13 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the Christian proselytizing activity in the country. In 301 Armenia was the first country in the world to declare itself a Christian nation. A chapel was initially built in 642 at the site of Khor Virap by Nerses III the Builder. Over the centuries it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662 the larger chapel known as the "St. Astvatsatsin" (Holy Mother of God) was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery, the refectory and the cells of the monks. Regular services are held in the church., which is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Armenia.