GOCHAVANK MONASTERY
This monastery, rich in influences (notably Persian and Seljuk), was founded by the fabulist, jurist and scholar Mkhitar Goch.
Initially called Nor (new) Ketik, the monastery was baptized in 1213 after its founder, the fabulist, jurist and scholar Mkhitar Goch, whose chronicles report that after having built a wooden church, he had the main church Sourp Asdvadzadzine (1191-1196) built, to which he added a narthex, three chapels... and a vault to be buried in! Under the direction of the superior Magistros (1212-1252), a second narthex was built, adjoining a two-storey library, as well as the church of Saint-Grégoire (1241) and the chapel of the Illuminator (1237).
The very compact ensemble resembles a model when viewed from the tiny chapel of Saint-Georges (1255), opposite on the heights of the village, where the scholar meditated and wrote. This is where Mkhitar Goch rested, whose tomb has not survived. It is difficult to imagine an intellectual influence in these places, but Gochavank was, at XIIIe siècle, one of the main cultural centres of Armenia. Its purchase by a rich merchant, Umek, did not put an end to the vocation of the monastery, which housed books and scholars until XIVe siècle. It was then abandoned, but experienced a 17th-century revival at XIXe siècle.
Very well restored, the complex is rich in various influences, particularly Persian and Seljuk, reflecting the spirit of tolerance of its founder. Mkhitar Gosh paid homage to the legal texts of the three faiths (Christian, Jewish and Muslim) and also to Buddhist texts, it is said, by reserving niches dug into the walls of the main church to protect them from Muslim raids.
But this ecumenism did not spare the monastery from the raids by the Mongols, who burned down the library, which in 1291 was transformed into a church tower. Traces of the autodafé are visible on the walls, and local guides claim that they were not caused by the soot of the candles, but by the Mongol fire.
The most interesting building is the St Gregory's Chapel, built in 1237 by Prince Grigor. This small church with one nave has a rich sculpted decoration contrasting with the sobriety of the other buildings, the facades are covered with fine carved arches; the main entrance is decorated with a pointed arch and plant motifs, and the central window surround is composed of an archivolt and bundles of small columns. To the left of the portal is one of the most beautiful khatchkar in Armenia, from 1291, by the sculptor Pavlos; its double, which stood on the other side, is on display in the Yerevan Historical Museum.