(...)
We then continued towards a Church known to have been a refuge for many of the nuns of Rome in the late third century who were persecuted under the rule of King Trdat III, who in turn is said to have even tried to rape St. Hripsime, to whom this 7th century church has been dedicated to.
Considered one of Armenian architectural gems this tuff church was constructed by order of Katholicos Komitas in 618 and its appearance is said to have remained almost unchanged since then. It is a cross-dome church although it is said to look more square than most Armenian churches.
Its decoration is rather modest and virtually limited to the cornices and multi-petal ornaments on the smaller trompes and geometric motifs on the window edges.
As we walked in we were taken by the subtle chants of a choir group standing on the left and the incense perfumed atmosphere. As I stood there motionless I felt somehow shaken. There is something about small spaces of cult that does touch me and despite the fact that apart from a priest kneeling down right in front of the altar and the choir group there were no other worshippers, the whole atmosphere was one of faith.
I came across the first Khachkar (carved memorial stone) standing at the chapel entrance and its undeniably elaborate and delicate patterns did catch my attention, together with the beautiful wooden carving of the entrance door.
(To be continued)
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