ARUCH CATHEDRAL

The Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, located in the monastery of Aruchavank, was built by Prince Grigor Mamikonyan. According to the writings, the construction of the church began in 662 and ended in 666. The Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Anastas Akoretsi (661-667), consecrated the church. Before the foundation of the church of St. Gregory in Aruch there was also another church. Probably the basilica, located on the south-west of the church, as a result of further reconstruction was converted into a secular building. According to Hovhannes Draskhanakertzi, Prince Grigor Mamikonyan built his palace complex in the south of St. Gregory Church.

There were amazing frescos depicted on the walls of the church of St. Gregory. Unfortunately, the murals almost disappeared. The ruins of the Bronze Age cemeteries, the old castle, the caravanserai (XIII) and other monuments have been preserved in Arucha.

Especially impressive was the majestic mural of Jesus Christ, who originally had a height of 7 meters (only a part below the knees was preserved). Standing on a richly decorated pedestal, Jesus Christ held a scroll in his hand. The quotation from the Gospel of John, written in Armenian, was depicted on that scroll. Some details of the mural were gilded. You can see The altar at the pedestal level, just below the fresco of Christ It is completely framed with a wide patterned belt that vividly represents the traditions of Armenian Hellenistic art and excellent skills.