Khor Virap Monastery: From the Pit to the First Christian Country

In 287 AD, Tiridates III of Armenia came to power. Tiridates III was the son of King Khosrov II of Armenia, who was assassinated in 252 by a Parthian agent named Anak. Anak was captured and executed along with most of his family, while his son, Gregory the Illuminator, was sheltered in Caesarea, Cappadocia, where he was introduced to the Christian religion.

Khor Virap Monastic Complex

As the only surviving heir to the throne, Tiridates was quickly taken away to Rome soon after his father's assassination while still an infant. He was educated in Rome and became skilled in languages and military tactics. In addition, he firmly understood and appreciated Roman law. The Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi describes him as a strong and brave warrior, who participated in combat against his enemies and personally led his army to victory in many battles.

Accompanied by Roman troops, Tiridates returned to Mets Hayk in 287 to reclaim the throne. The young Gregory, the son of Anak, also joined him, becoming a loyal comrade-in-arms of the king. Gregory received a Christian education in Caesarea. After the victory against Persia, King Tiridates offered Gregory the opportunity to make an offering to the goddess Anahit. Gregory refused to sacrifice to the idol.

King Tiridates III the Great

Upon learning that Gregory was the son of Anak, the man who had killed his father, Tiridates III ordered him to be thrown into the dungeon known as "Khor Virap",

where Gregory endured 14 years of confinement. Khor Virap, which translates to "deep pit," was originally a royal prison in Artashat city. Legend states that Saint Gregory survived this ordeal thanks to the secret compassion of a kind woman, who sustained him by providing bread and water in secrecy

During this time, Tiridates III enforced pagan practices, issuing proclamations and imposing the death penalty on Christians. According to tradition, after a few years, King Tiridates fell ill with a condition described as resembling swine flu. The cause of his illness was attributed to the murder of 33 Hripsimian virgins who had fled from Roman Emperor Diocletian. Among them, Hripsime was stoned to death for rejecting the king’s marriage proposal.

Agathangelos writes:"Tiridates began to rage and eat himself, and like Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonians, left his human nature and, in the form of wild pigs, went to live among them."

Tiridates’ sister, Khosrovidukht, had a dream revealing that only Grigor, still imprisoned, could heal the king. Gregory was brought out of the dungeon and taken to Vagharshapat. He buried the remains of the martyred virgins, established a five-day fast, and through prayers, healed the king.

A painting of Gregory the Illuminator by Vardges Sureniants

An epoch-making event in Armenian history occurred in 301 when Tiridates III officially recognized Christianity as the state religion. Afterwards king Tiridates III and  Gregory the Illuminato traveled across Armenia, destroying pagan monuments and establishing Christian ones in their place.

Saint Astvatsatsin Church

By the decision of the Council of Elders, Tiridates sent Gregory to Caesarea, where he was ordained as a bishop. Upon his return, the newly consecrated Catholicos baptized Tiridates and his court in the Aratsani River. Together, they initiated the construction of the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin.

The entrance to Khor Virap "Deep Pit" inside Saint Gregory Chapel

In around 642, Catholicos Nerses III built a chapel over the pit where Gregory had been imprisoned. While the original structure did not survive, the current buildings date back to the 17th century.

Modern-Day Khor Virap

The monastery complex, built in the 17th century, includes the Saint Gregory Church, the Saint Astvatsatsin Church, and the famous underground dungeon known as Khor Virap (Deep Pit). Visitors can descend into this pit via a narrow ladder, experiencing the space where Saint Gregory endured his imprisonment.

• Saint Gregory Chapel (1662–1669): Built on the foundations of an earlier church, it houses the dungeon beneath its High Altar.

• Saint Astvatsatsin Church: Located in the center of the complex, this domed church features bas relief of Gregory and Tiridates.

• Walls and Bell Tower: The bell tower, built in the 19th century, is adorned with columns, while the surrounding walls date to the 17th century.

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Khor Virap also served as an educational center, founded by Vardan Areveltsi in 1255. Many manuscripts copied here are preserved at the Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran in Yerevan. The complex underwent renovation during the 1960s and 1970s.

His Holiness Karekin II and the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church visiting Khor Virap

Tourism and Accessibility

Located approximately 40 kilometers from Yerevan, Khor Virap is easily accessible by car or guided tour. Its proximity to the Turkish-Armenian border provides unparalleled views of Mount Ararat, a national symbol of Armenia. The picturesque surroundings and profound historical significance make it a must-visit destination for travelers exploring Armenia.