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Sights of Armenia Kotayk

The Holy Mother of God Church of Bjni

  • RegionKotayk
  • Distance from Yerevan22.4 km
  • TypeMonastery/Church

Kotayk

About this place

The Holy Mother of God Church of Bjni is located in Bjni village, Kotayk Province. It was founded in 1031 by Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni, under the order of King Hovhannes-Smbat and Catholicos Petros I Getadardz. The monastery was intended to become an episcopal seat. The main church, the Holy Mother of God, is a domed hall with a polygonal drum and a fan-shaped roof. The monastery is also known as the School of the Magistros, as it was one of the important centers of Armenian manuscript writing in the Middle Ages. It especially flourished in the 12th century, during the time of Grigor III Pahlavuni, son of Grigor Magistros and Catholicos of All Armenians. During Tamerlane’s invasion (14th century), the monastery was damaged, but in the 15th century, it was restored and again became a significant spiritual and scholarly center. Numerous manuscripts were created during this time, including a Gospel copied by Bishop Grigor. In the 19th century, school buildings were constructed on the southern side of the monastery, cells on the northern side, and in 1895, by the order of Catholicos Mkrtich I Vanetsi (Khrimian Hayrik), a school was built on the western side.

Interesting

facts about The Holy Mother of God Church of Bjni

  1. Many khachkars (cross-stones) have been preserved in the monastery complex, including two carved by master Melikseth.

  2. In 1637, the French traveler Chardin spent a night at the Holy Mother of God Monastery of Bjni, later describing it in his travel writings.

Weather in Kotayk

The high season in Armenia lasts for a long time due to the pleasant climate conditions. Warm days in Armenia start in March and last until late autumn; winter is usually snowless and not long. The high precipitation season is variable. The tourist season for Holy Mother of God Church depends on the weather conditions.

The Holy Mother of God Church of Bjni

FAQ

Where is the Holy Mother of God Church of Bjni and who founded it?

It is in Bjni village, Kotayk Province. The monastery was founded in 1031 by Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni on the order of King Hovhannes-Smbat and Catholicos Petros I Getadardz, and it was intended to become an episcopal seat.

Why is the Bjni monastery known as the School of the Magistros?

It bears that name because it was one of the important centers of Armenian manuscript writing in the Middle Ages. It flourished especially in the 12th century under Grigor III Pahlavuni, Catholicos of All Armenians and son of Grigor Magistros.

What happened to the Bjni monastery in later centuries?

The monastery was damaged during Tamerlane's invasion in the 14th century but was restored in the 15th century and again became an important spiritual and scholarly center, where many manuscripts were created, including a Gospel copied by Bishop Grigor. In the 19th century school buildings and cells were added, and in 1895 a school was built on the western side by order of Catholicos Mkrtich I Vanetsi (Khrimian Hayrik).

What can you see at the Holy Mother of God Church of Bjni?

The main church, the Holy Mother of God, is a domed hall with a polygonal drum and a fan-shaped roof. Many khachkars (cross-stones) have been preserved in the complex, including two carved by master Melikseth.

Which traveler described the Bjni monastery?

In 1637 the French traveler Chardin spent a night at the Holy Mother of God Monastery of Bjni and later described it in his travel writings.

Kotayk

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Address

Kotayk, Акунк, Армения

Kotayk

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