Living in Armenia is no different then living in other countries. You never take the time to visit the nearby sites and do the things that really make that place special. I’ve been living here for over 8 months, and have only taken a few opportunities to get out the city, and visit the sites that make our homeland so wonderful.

Today, Annie and I took a few hours to drive out to the Monastery of Geghard, and the temple of Garni. Geghard is called as such because for many centuries it protected the tip of the lance which the Armenian Church believes was used to pierce Christ’s side while on the Cross. The lance is now kept at Holy Etchmiadzin, but the complex is still one of the most beautiful places in Armenia. Geghard is hune into the side of a hill and according to tradition was established by St. Gregory the Illuminator in the 4th century. In one of its passages there is a sacred spring from which water flows forth and travels through small channels through the sanctuary. It is truly a place that inspires the spirit to prayer.

Garni, a place which I personally have not appreciated in the past, is an ancient pagan temple established during the time of King Trdat in the 1st century BCE. In a treaty settled between the Roman Empire and Armenia, Armenia’s gods where admitted in the Roman pantheon, and a Roman-style temple was erected. During this visit I appreciated a previously unnoticed aspect of the site. Garni has been used as a fortress and spiritual site throughout Armenian history. You can see situated immediately adjacent to one another a stone erected during the Ancient Urartian period (8th C. BCE), the pagan temple (1st C. BCE), and a Christian church (6th C. CE). This is truly awe inspiring.

Visiting these sites is considered a required part of any tour for first timers to Armenia, but its nice to return to them and take some time to really appreciate them.

Check out the photoset!