Diocese of Kotayk ( hy, Կոտայքի թեմ ''Kotayki t'em''), is a diocese of the

Armenian Apostolic Church , native_name_lang = hy , icon = Armenian Apostolic Church logo.svg , icon_width = 100px , icon_alt = , image = Էջմիածնի_Մայր_Տաճար.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , a ...

covering the

Kotayk Province Kotayk ( hy, Կոտայք, ), is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. It is located at the central part of the country. Its capital is Hrazdan and the largest city is Abovyan. It is named after the Kotayk canton of the historic Ayrarat province ...

Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...

. The name is derived from the historic ''Kotayk canton'' of

Ayrarat Ayrarat () was the central province of the kingdom of Armenia (antiquity), ancient kingdom Armenia, located in the plain of the upper Aras (river), Aras River. Most of the historical capitals of Armenia were located in this province, including Arm ...

province of Armenia Major. The diocese was officially founded on May 30, 1996, upon a kontakion issued by Catholicos

Karekin I Karekin I ( Armenian: ) (August 27, 1932 – June 29, 1999) served as the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1994 and 1999. Previously, he served as the Catholicos of Cilicia from 1983 to 1994 as Karekin II ( Armenian: ). ...

. The diocesan headquarters are located in the provincial capital

Hrazdan Hrazdan ( hy, Հրազդան), is a town and urban municipal community in Armenia serving as the administrative centre of Kotayk Province, located northeast of the capital Yerevan. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 41,875. I ...

, while the cathedral of the diocese is the

Kecharis Monastery Kecharis Monastery (), is a medieval Armenian monastic complex dating back to the 11th to 13th centuries, located 60 km from Yerevan, in the ski resort town of Tsaghkadzor in Armenia. Nestled in the Pambak mountains, Kecharis was founded by a ...

in the nearby town of

Tsaghkadzor Tsaghkadzor ( hy, Ծաղկաձոր) is a spa town and urban municipal community, as well as one of the most popular health resorts in Armenia, located north of the capital Yerevan in the Kotayk Province. According to the 2011 census, the town has a ...

History

The Diocese of Kotayk is considered the successor of the historic ''Diocese of Bjni'' founded by Catholicos

Peter I Peter I may refer to: Religious hierarchs * Saint Peter (c. 1 AD – c. 64–88 AD), a.k.a. Simon Peter, Simeon, or Simon, apostle of Jesus * Pope Peter I of Alexandria (died 311), revered as a saint * Peter I of Armenia (died 1058), Catholico ...

in 1031. Bjni was one of the largest dioceses of medieval Armenia. The bishop of Bjni was one of 4 bishops that possessed a special privilege in the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians, others being the bishops of Syunik, Haghpat and Artaz. The Diocese of Bjni has been intact until the mid 18th century.

Active churches

Here is the list of churches, monasteries and chapels functioning under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Kotayk, along with their location and year of consecration:

Churches

* Surp Kiraki Church,

Arzni Arzni ( hy, Արզնի, aii, ܐܪܙܢܝ, Russian language, Russian: Арзни), is a resort village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia located on in the Hrazdan canyon. Modern village was founded on the place of old Armenian village called Arzni ...

, 6th century * Surp Sarkis Church,

Bjni Bjni ( hy, Բջնի), is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is situated in a valley between canyon walls and a small river. The village is one of the prominent centers of education and culture of ancient and medieval Armenia. It is ...

, 7th century * Surp Hovhannes Church,

Alapars Alapars ( hy, Ալափարս) is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. The village has 860 dwellings, a school, house of culture, and library. The population is entirely Armenian. Toponymy The village was previously known as ''Aylaberk' ...

, 7th century * Surp Vartan Zoravar Church, Alapars, 901 * Holy Mother of God Church, Bjni, 1031 * Mashtots Hayrapet Church,

Garni Garni ( hy, Գառնի), is a major village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is known for the nearby classical temple. As of the 2011 census, the population of the village is 6,910. History The settlement has an ancient history, and is b ...

, 12th century * Holy Mother of God Church,

Yeghvard Yeghvard ( hy, Եղվարդ) is a town and urban municipal community in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is located 39 kilometres southwest of the provincial centre Hrazdan. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 11,672, almost ...

, 1301 * Kaptavank Church, Kaputan, 1349 * Holy Mother of God Church,

, 17th century * Surp Stepanos Church,

Abovyan Abovyan or Abovian ( hy, Աբովյան), is a town and urban municipal community in Armenia within the Kotayk Province. It is located northeast of Yerevan and southeast of the province centre Hrazdan. As of the 2011 census, the population of ...

, 1851 * Surp Karapet Church,

Akunk Akunk ( hy, Ակունք) is a village in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. History The village was founded on the site of a Bronze Age settlement and to the west of Akunk, there is a cyclopean masonry, cyclopean fort, ''Klor Dar'', dating ...

, 1855 * Holy Cross Church,

, 1861 * Surp Hakob Church, Aramus, 1863 * Holy Mother of God Church, Fantan, 19th century * Holy Mother of God Church, Solak, 19th century * Holy Mother of God Church,

Meghradzor Meghradzor ( hy, Մեղրաձոր), meaning, ''valley of honey''; formerly known as ''Taycharukh''), is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, northwest of Hrazdan. The village is located to the south of the Tsaghkunyats mountain range, al ...

, 1881 * Holy Mother of God Church, Hrazdan, 1883 * Saint George's Church, Argel, 1890 * Surp Hovhannes Church, Arinj, 1890 * Holy Mother of God Church,

Jrvezh Jrvezh ( hy, Ջրվեժ), meaning "waterfall", is a major village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, located at the eastern outskirts of the capital Yerevan. The village is 45 km south of the provincial capital Hrazdan, and 9 km from the town of ...

, 1891 * Holy Mother of God Church, Alapars, 1897 * Holy Saviour's Church, Charentsavan, 2000 * Surp Harutyun Church, Nurnus, 2001 * Holy Mother of God Church, Arinj, 2002 * Holy Martyrs Church, Teghenik, 2003 * Tukh Manuk Church, Hrazdan, 2003 * Saint John the Baptist Church, Abovyan, 2013 * Saint George's Church, Hrazdan, 2013 * Holy Saviour's Church,

Nor Hachn Nor Hachn ( hy, Նոր Հաճն), is a town and urban municipal community in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, founded in 1953. The town is located on the right bank of Hrazdan River, to the west of the Arzni canyon, on the immediate proximity of th ...

, 2015 * Holy Cross Church,

, 2015 * Surp Sarkis Church,

, 2017 File:Arzni S. Kiraki Church 6th c.2.jpg, Surp Kiraki Church, Arzni, 6th century File:Saint Sargis Bjni.JPG, Surp Sarkis Church,

, 7th century File:ALAPARS SAINT HOVHANNES Եկեղեցի Սբ. Հովհաննես 5.JPG, Surp Hovhannes Church, Alapars, 7th century File:Alapars Vardanavank 901.JPG, Surp Vartan Zoravar Church, Alapars, 901 File:Garni Mashtots Hayrapet Church.JPG, Mashtots Hayrapet Church, Garni, 12th century File:Bjni, S. Astvatsatsin church - panoramio.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Bjni, 1031 File:Yeghvard-Church-View.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Yeghvard, 1301 File:Kaptavank Church, Kaputan, Kotayk2.JPG, Kaptavank Church, Kaputan, 1349 File:Garni, Surb Astvatsatsin Church.jpg, Holy Mother of God CHurch, Garni, 17th century File:SOURB STEPANOS CHURCH IN SUMMER, ABOVYAN, ARMENIA.jpg, Surp Stepanos Church, Abovyan, 1851 File:SOURB KARAPET CHURCH, AKOONCK VILLAGE, KOTAYK REGION, ARMENIA.jpg, Surp Karapet Church, Akunk, 1855 File:Арамус у подножья горы Адис 02.jpg, Surp Hakob Church, Aramus, 1863 File:Vaghaver church 0.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Fantan, 19th century File:SOLAK CHURCH HOLY MOTHER 3.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Solak, 19th century File:SAINT HOLY MOTHER MEGHRADZOR 13.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Meghradzor, 1881 File:Եկեղեցի Սբ. Աստվածածին, Հրազդան, Վանատուր թաղամաս (1).JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Hrazdan, 1883 File:Argel-S. Gevorg 1890.jpg, Saint George's Church, Argel, 1890 File:Sb Hovhannes Arinj 19.JPG, Surp Hovhannes Church, Arinj, 1890 File:Jrvezh, Surb Astvatsatsin church1.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Jrvezh, 1891 File:ALAPARS SAINT HOLY MOTHER Եկեղեցի Սբ. Աստվածածին 11.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Alapars, 1897 File:Surb Amenaprkich (Holy Savior) Church, Charentsavan, Armenia - panoramio.jpg, Holy Saviour's Church, Charentsavan, 2000 File:Holy Mother church of Arinj 81.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Arinj, 2002 File:Թեղենիքի սրբոց նահատակաց եկեղեցի, ArmAg (2).JPG, Holy Martyrs Church, Teghenik, 2003 File:Surp Hovhannes, Abovyan, 5 Jan. 2016 (2).jpg, Saint John the Baptist Church, Abovyan, 2013 File:Surp Sarkis Church, Yeghvard (15 July 2017).jpg, Surp Sarkis Church, Yeghvard, 2017

Monasteries

Geghard Geghard ( hy, Գեղարդ, meaning "spear") is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protec ...

Monastery near

Goght Goght ( hy, Գողթ; formerly Goghot) is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, located on the right bank of the upper-Azat River. It is known from 13th-century manuscripts as Goghot. It is located near Garni and sits along the road leading ...

, 4th century, with the Katoghike Chapel dating back to 1215 *Dzagavank Monastery near Getargel, consisted of 2 churches: Surp Nshan Church of the 7the century, and the belfry chapel of the 14th century *

Makravank Monastery Makravank ( hy, Մաքրավանք) is an Armenian church-complex located in the Makravan district of Hrazdan, the capital of Kotayk Province, Armenia. Hasratyan, Murad. ''Մաքրավանք'' (Mak'ravank'). Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia. vol. vii ...

, consisted of 2 churches: the Holy Saviour's Church of the 10th century and the Holy Mother of God Church of the 13th century *

, consisted of 3 churches and 2 chapels: Saint Grigor Church of 1013, Surp Nshan Church of the 11th century, Katoghike Church of the 13th century, Chapel of Saint Grigor of the 11th century, and the Chapel of Surp Harutyun of 1220 File:Monasterio de Geghard, Armenia, 2016-10-02, DD 63.jpg, Geghard Monastery near Goght, 4-13th centuries File:Dzagavank (Getargel) S. Nshan General View.JPG, Dzagavank Monastery near Getargel, 7-14th centuries File:ՎԱՆԱԿԱՆ ՀԱՄԱԼԻՐ ՄԱՔՐԱՎԱՆՔ.JPG, Makravank Monastery, Hrazdan, 10-13th centuries File:Kecharis in snow-DSC 0035.JPG, Kecharis Monastery, 11-13th centuries

Chapels

* Tsaghkevank Chapel, Teghenik, 7-8th centuries * Karmravor Chapel, Arinj, 13th century * Tukh Manuk Chapel, Arinj, 13th century * Holy Mother of God Chapel, Aramus, 13-14th centuries * Holy Mother of God Chapel, Arinj, 15th century * Tukh Manuk Chapel, Alapars, 19th century * Surp Karapet Chapel, Arinj, 20th century * Blue Cross Chapel, Hrazdan, 1996 * Saint Barbara's Chapel, Balahovit, 1999 * Saint Vartan Chapel, Byureghavan, 2000 * Holy Cross Chapel,

Ptghni Ptghni ( hy, Պտղնի), is a village located in the Kotayk Province of Armenia along the left bank of the Hrazdan River. It was founded in 1831 in the vicinity of an abandoned dwelling. The village has a school, kindergarten, house of culture, a ...

, 2005 * Surp Narek Chapel, Kotayk, 2006 * Saint Gregory Chapel, Zar, 2008 * Holy Mother of God Chapel,

Dzoraghbyur Dzoraghbyur ( hy, Ձորաղբյուր) is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. "Dzoraghbyur" translates roughly to English as "Canyon Fountain". It is located 10 km east of Yerevan and 35 km south of the regional centre Hrazdan. ...

, 2010 * Tukh Manuk Chapel, Argel, 2013 File:Taghkevank Եկեղեցի Ծաղկավանք 20.JPG, Tsaghkevank Chapel, Teghenik, 7-8th centuries File:ARINJ Saint Karmravor 17.JPG, Karmravor Chapel, Arinj, 13th century File:Matur Tukh Manuk Arinj.JPG, Tukh Manuk Chapel, Arinj, 13th century File:Holy Mother church of Arinj 3.JPG, Holy Mother of God Chapel, Arinj, 15th century File:Թուխ Մանուկ.jpg, Tukh Manuk Chapel, Alapars, 19th century File:Matur sb Karapet Arinj.JPG, Surp Karapet Chapel, Arinj, 20th century File:Մատուռ «Կապույտ խաչ» (Հրազդան, Վանատուր թաղամաս) - "Blue cross" chapel (Hrazdan, Vanatur distr.) 04.JPG, Blue Cross Chapel, Hrazdan, 1996 File:Dsc02654-e1346326756538.jpg, Saint Barbara's Chapel, Balahovit, 1999 File:ARGEL Saint Gevorg 9.JPG, Tukh Manuk Chapel, Argel, 2013

Inactive/ruined churches and monasteries

This is an incomplete list of inactive or ruined churches and monasteries in the territory regulated by the Diocese of Kotayk: * Yeghvard Basilica, Yeghvard, 4th century * Khumarazham Church, Garni, 4-5th centuries * Kakavadzor Upper Chapel, Hrazdan, 4-7th centuries * Surp Nshan Tsiranavor Church, Aramus, 6th century *

Ptghnavank Ptghnavank ( Armenian: Պտղնավանք) or Ptghni temple ( Armenian:Պտղնի Վանք) is located in the village of Ptghni in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. Architecture The temple is a domed single-nave basilica type completed in the 6 ...

Monastery,

, 6-7th centuries * Monastery of the Apostles Matthew and Andrew, Karenis, 6-7th centuries * Artavaz Monastery, Artavaz, 6-7th centuries * Teghenyats Monastery,

Buzhakan Buzhakan ( hy, Բուժական), also Romanized as Bujhakan; formerly, Babakishi), is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is situated along the eastern foothills of the Tsaghkunyats mountain range, upon a fertile slope. Early settlers ...

, 6-7th centuries *

Gharghavank Gharghavank (also, Zoravor Church, hy, Զորավոր եկեղեցի) is a ruined Armenian Apostolic church located on the outskirts of the village of Zoravan, at the lower slopes of Mount Ara in Kotayk Province, Armenia. To get to the church, tu ...

Church,

Zoravan Zoravan ( hy, Զորավան; formerly, Ghargavank and Pokravan; historically and prior to 1972–80, Khacho) is a village situated along the lower slopes of Mount Ara in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. The village was established in 1972–80, du ...

, 7th century * Saint George's Monastery near Argel, 7th century * Holy Zion Church, Garni, 7th century * Mayravank Monastery, Solak, 7-11th century * Holy Cross Church, Bjni, 9th century * Surp Stepanos Church of Aghbyurak, Hrazdan, 10-12th centuries * Neghuts Monastery,

Arzakan Arzakan ( hy, Արզական, previously known as Arzakyand), is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. The Aghveran resort is located in Arzakan. There are the large ruins of the 10th- or 11th-century Neghutsi Vank, located along a ravine ...

, 10-13th centuries * Holy Right Monastery, Hrazdan, 10-14th centuries * Tejharuyk Monastery, Meghradzor, 1199 * Monastery of Saints Paul and Peter, Akunk, 12-13th centuries * Holy Mother of God Church, Garni, 12-13th centuries * Chorut Monastery, Arzakan, 1207 * Zoravan Church, Zoravan, 13th century * Saint George's Church, Bjni, 13th century * Saint George's Church, Arzakan, 13-14th century * Kakavadzor Chapel, Hrazdan, 18-19th centuries * Surp Karapet Church of Jrarat, Hrazdan, 1831 * Surp Stepanos Church, Arzakan, 1867 * Holy Mother of God Church,

, 19th century File:Yeghvard, Ruined Basilica1.JPG, Yeghvard Basilica, Yeghvard, 4th century File:Garni, Khumarzham (Khonarvats) Church ruins06.jpg, Khumarazham Church, Garni, 4-5th centuries File:Hrazdan, Kaqavadzor, Verin Vanq (Upper Church) chapel - panoramio.jpg, Kakavadzor Upper Chapel, Hrazdan, 4-7th centuries File:Ptghavank1.JPG, Ptghnavank Monastery, Ptghni, 6-7th centuries File:Karenis Monastery Վանական համալիր Կարենիս 9.JPG, Monastery of the Apostles Matthew and Andrew, Karenis, 6-7th centuries File:ARTAVAZAVANQ Վանական համալիր Արտավազավանք 1.JPG, Artavaz Monastery, Artavaz, 6-7th centuries File:Թեղենյաց համալիր.JPG, Teghenyats Monastery, Buzhakan, 6-7th centuries File:Gharghavank2.JPG, Gharghavank Church, Zoravan, 7th century File:Saint Gevorg church near Argel 2.jpg, Saint George's Monastery near Argel, 7th century File:Garni Fortress, Ruins of Surb Sion Church.jpg, Holy Zion Church, Garni, 7th century File:Mayravank (Solak)1.jpg, Mayravank Monastery, Solak, 7-11th century File:Եկեղեցի Սբ. Խաչ9.JPG, Holy Cross Church, Bjni, 9th century File:Aghbyurak church in Hrazdan 8.JPG, Surp Stepanos Church of Aghbyurak, Hrazdan, 10-12th centuries File:ARZAKAN NEGHUTSI VANQ MONASTERY Վանական համալիր Նեղուցի վանք (Արզականի վանք, Սբ. Աստվածածին, Նեղոց Սբ. Աստվածածին) 41.JPG, Neghuts Monastery, Arzakan, 10-13th centuries File:Saint Right Monastery in Hrazdan (Aghbyurak) Սուրբ Աջ վանական համալիր 18.JPG, Holy Right Monastery, Hrazdan, 10-14th centuries File:Tejharuyk Monastery.jpg, Tejharuyk Monastery, Meghradzor, 1199 File:Եկեղեցական համալիր Պողոս-Պետրոս 2.JPG, Monastery of Saints Paul and Peter, 12-13th centuries File:Garni Cemetery Church.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Garni, 12-13th centuries File:ARZAKAN Chorut church Եկեղեցի Սբ. Աստվածածին (Չորուտի վանք) 8.JPG, Chorut Monastery, Arzakan, 1207 File:St. Gevorg church in Bjni 07.JPG, Saint George's Church, Bjni, 13th century File:Zoravan church.JPG, Zoravan Church, Zoravan, 13th century File:Եկեղեցական համալիր «Գհուկի վանք» (Բոլորահար).JPG, Saint George's Church, Arzakan, 13-14th century File:Hrazdan, Kaqavadzor, Chapel - panoramio.jpg, Kakavadzor Chapel, Hrazdan, 18-19th centuries File:Եկեղեցի Սբ. Ստեփանոս (Սբ. Աստվածածին, Սբ. Թադևոս առաքյալ), Արզական.JPG, Surp Stepanos Church, Arzakan, 1867 File:Goght Church 1.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Goght, 19th century

References

External links

Churches of Kkotayk Province
{{coord missing, Armenia Kotayk Christianity in Armenia Kotayk Province Oriental Orthodox dioceses in Armenia