The Mashtots Hayrapet Church (Mashtots Patriarch’s Church) is located in the village of Garni. It was built over the grave of the Catholicos of All Armenians Mashtots I of Yeghvard, who had moved the treasures of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral to Garni during the Arab invasion in 876.
Catholicos Mashtots died and was buried here in Garni. To the north of the church is the headstone of the Catholicos.
The Mashtots Hayrapet Church is a traditional cross-dome building built of red tuff which has blackened with time. The facade of the church is decorated with bas-reliefs in the form of floral ornaments.
Next to the temple, there is a stone with images of birds, which is believed to have remained here from a pagan sanctuary that used to stand here. Khachkars (cross-stones) are scattered around the Mashtots Hayrapet Church.
Nairi Zakaryan
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