St. Karapet, Armenia
Surb Karapet Monastery was an Armenian Apostolic monastery in the historic province of Taron, about 30 km northwest of Mush, in present-day eastern Turkey.
Surb Karapet translates to “Holy Precursor” and refers to John the Baptist, whose remains are believed to have been stored at the site by Gregory the Illuminator in the early fourth century. The monastery subsequently served as a stronghold of the Mamikonians—the princely house of Taron, who claimed to be the holy warriors of John the Baptist, their patron saint. It was expanded and renovated many times in later centuries. By the 20th century it was a large fort-like enclosure with four chapels.
Epic Armenia Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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