Khor Virap is a monastery located in Armenia that was first established in 642 CE. Its name is derived from "virap nerk'in," which means "deep dungeon" in Armenian. Khor Virap is one of the most sacred and visited sites in Armenia primarily due to the legend of Saint Gregory the Illuminator who was imprisoned for 13 years in Khor Virap's dungeon before succeeding in the conversion of King Tiridates (Trdat) the Great to Christianity in the first decades of the 4th century CE. During the Middle Ages, Khor Virap was a center of education and learning, and despite a colossal earthquake in 1679 CE, it remains a site of pilgrimage and immense cultural interest to Armenians today.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 239 CE - c. 330 CELife of Saint Gregory the Illuminator who is credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia (dates disputed).
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641 CE - 661 CENerses III "the Builder" is Catholicos (head) of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
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642 CEThe St. Gevorg Chapel is built at Khor Virap, Armenia.
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1662 CEThe St. Astvatsatsin Chapel is built at Khor Virap, Armenia.
