Khor Virap is a 17 century monastery – castle in Ararat Province, near the village of Lusarat which is nearly 40 km to the south west of Yerevan.
In ancient times Virap was a deep hole full of snakes and scorpions. Dangerous criminals were imprisoned in that hole. Saint Gregori the Enlightener was imprisoned there for 13 years by King Tiridates III. When this king got an incurable disease, he was told to set Gregori free because they knew that Gregori could miraculously cure the king. So Gregori was set free and he cured the king. Then with the king’s support Gregori spread Christianity all around Armenia. That is why Later he was given the name Saint Gregori the Enlightener. In 301 Armenia adopted Christianity.
In 642 a chapel was built at the site of Khor Virap, and in 1662 a church was built in the same place St. Astvatsatsin – Holy Mother of God.
Khor Virap with the view of Ararat is a landscape of rare beauty.
Միլենա Շամոյան 