Saghmosavank Monastery

The Saghmosavank Monastic Complex is located in the village of Saghmosavan, in Armenia’s Aragatsotn Province. The name Saghmosavank likely derives from the Armenian word “saghmos”, meaning psalm or hymn, referring to spiritual chants sung during church services. The monastery was called Saghmosavank because psalms were frequently performed there. Like many Armenian churches, Saghmosavank possesses natural acoustics, which likely influenced its name. A significant number of medieval Armenian churches were built with precise acoustic calculations, reflecting the exceptional mastery of Armenian architects and builders. Saghmosavank is first mentioned in historical records in the 12th century, when Vardapet Hovhannes Mounj lived there and established a school. However, the monastic complex as we know it took shape in the 13th century under the patronage of the Vachutyan noble family, during whose time the monastery became a spiritual and cultural center. Notably, Hovhannavank also flourished under the Vachutyans and became their family monastery. The main structure of the complex, the Church of Surb Sion (Holy Zion), was built in 1215 through the sponsorship of Vache Vachutyan and his wife Mamakhatoon. Construction took around 20 years and was completed in 1235. Afterward, Kurd Vachutyan, son of Vache Vachutyan, continued the development of the complex. He initiated the construction of the Church of Surb Astvatsatsin, the second church of the monastery. In the 1240s, he also began the construction of the narthex of Hovhannavank, emphasizing the Vachutyan family’s commitment to expanding their spiritual centers.