If you are old and have chronic diseases, be careful when going down to the dungeon - when there are very few people there, there is very little oxygen, people get scared and start to panic. This is due to the fact that the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air is disrupted. People consume oxygen by converting it into carbon dioxide, and if there are a lot of people in the room, the oxygen concentration decreases over time, while the concentration of carbon dioxide, on the contrary, increases. This can lead to oxygen starvation (hypoxia). Try not to panic, there's still enough oxygen for everyone - it's better for doubters not to experiment and just enjoy the photos and videos - I'm attaching them to the review. Khor Virap (Armenian: deep dungeon) is an ancient Armenian monastery located near the state border of Armenia, near the city of Artashat. It was built in 1662. It is located at the foot of the biblical Mount Ararat, where, according to legend, Noah found himself on the ark after the Flood. It was originally a royal prison, the name is due to the fact that there was an underground dungeon under the monastery. According to legend, it was in this dungeon that the Armenian king Trdat III in the 4th century ordered St. Gregory the Illuminator to be imprisoned for 13 years, where he kept him for 13 years (and according to some sources even longer). In 642, a chapel was first erected over the dungeon where Gregory was imprisoned. It was rebuilt several times, and in 1662 it was demolished and two large churches were erected in its place and surrounded by stone walls — since then Khor Virap has received the status of a monastery. The monastery served as the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians was located. The monastery housed a theological school, and it also served as an educational center founded by Vardan Arevelci in 1255. The buildings located on the territory of the monastery: The Church of St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) is the main church of the monastery, built in the 17th century. The chapel of St. Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was built over the underground dungeon where Gregory was imprisoned. The bell tower was built in the 19th century. Monastery walls surround the complex and protect it from external threats. Today, Khor Virap is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage for Armenians from all over the world. Every year, the monastery celebrates two holidays — the days of the entrance and exit of St. Gregory the Illuminator from prison. Gregory's entry into the dungeon is celebrated on the last Saturday of Great Lent. Gregory's release from prison is celebrated on the Saturday before the second Sunday after Pentecost. Armenians celebrate these holidays annually, usually in March and June. In the monastery, you can participate in the ceremony of releasing white pigeons — they believe that they will fly to the top of Ararat.

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Роман Сергеевич

Level 16 Local Expert

It's just an amazing place! Steeped in history and spirit. Mount Ararat was almost invisible, but there were still wonderful views from these places. In general, I think that this place in Armenia is like Red Square in Moscow - if you haven't visited it, you can say you haven't been to the country. We arrived there at Easter, just in time, a lot of cars and people, but it didn't put us off at all! I recommend it!!

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Khor Virap monastery

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