Monastery of Geghard, Armenia
El Monastery of Geghardon the river Azat, it is a jewel of the Iglesia apostólica armenia - non-Roman Catholic - and UNESCO World Heritage since 2000. Its name means "monastery of the Spear," by the relic of the spear that crossed the side of Christ. Among its chapels carved on the rock is the Surp Asstvatsatsin, "the Holy Mother of God," the central Marian title of the Armenian faith.
🌹 Wonders and anecdotes
- La UNESCO inscribió en el año 2000 el conjunto ‘Monasterio de Geghard y el alto valle del Azat’ (ref. 960) por su valor como ejemplo excepcional de la arquitectura monástica medieval armenia; en 2018 recibió protección reforzada.
- The tradition attributed its foundation in the fourth century to Saint Gregory the Illuminator, next to a sacred spring within a cave; its ancient name was Ayrivank, "monastery of the Cave."
- The main church (katoghike) was built in 1215 on behalf of the princes Zakare and Ivane; about 1240 was carved on the living rock the first gavit, which retains the original spring.
- Prince Prosh Khaghbakian made Geghard a family pantheon and in 1283 the chapel of Astvatsatsin (Surp Astvatsatsin, "Holy Mother of God") was carved on the rock with reliefs of animals and warriors.
- The name Geghard refers to the spear that, according to the Gospel of John, passed through the side of Christ; carried in the tradition of the Apostle Tadeo, it is now kept in the treasure of Etchmiadzin, not in the monastery.
- Astvatsatsin (literalmente ‘la que dio a luz a Dios’) es el equivalente armenio del griego Theotokos; su fiesta, análoga a la Asunción, es una de las cinco grandes solemnidades de la Iglesia apostólica armenia.
Surp Astvatsatsin, la Santa Madre de Dios (Iglesia apostólica armenia)
Geghard, excavated on the cliffs of the Azat Valley, is a millennial sanctuary of the Armenian Apostolic Church, distinct and independent of Rome. Although not Catholic, she shares with all Christianity the veneration of Mary as the Mother of God, honored here with the title of Surp Astvatsatsin. His rock churches and his relic of the Spear make him one of Armenia's most venerated places.
"The Holy Mother of God, Surp Astvatsatsin, who you are honored in the living stones of Geghard, intercede for the Christian people and guide us to your Son, the Savior who is passed on for love.
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