On the rocky edge of the Vorotan gorge stands one of the most remarkable examples of medieval Armenian architecture, Tatev Monastery. The former nearby settlement of hermits, the followers of Eustathius – the disciple of the Apostle Thaddeus – was a particularly famous place. Valuable Christian relics have at some point been kept here.
The monastery became the center of the Syunik bishopric in the 7th century, but the real glory came to it much later, in the years when the largest university of medieval Armenia operated there.
The most important Armenian center of enlightenment was founded in the 14th century and reached its peak during the principalship of Grigor Tatevatsi, one of the most educated people of the epoch.
He was thirty years old when the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, the last Armenian monarchy, fell. The clergy, the only remaining nationwide structure, did not have a clear position regarding the definition of the new place of the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
Tatevatsi determined the vital necessity of returning the residence to Etchmiadzin, in spite of the Muslims’ oppressions of Armenians. He did not live to see his idea coming to fruition, but in 1441, the disciples carried out his will.
Grigor Tatevatsi was the last figure to be titled a saint by the Armenian Apostolic Church. He was buried in the territory of Tatev Monastery.
Քարոզ` մեղքերի մասին (Սուրբ Գրիգոր Տաթեւացի)
Քարոզ խոստովանության մասին (Սուրբ Գրիգոր Տաթևացի)
