Kecharis

Located in Tsaghkadzor above the Marmarik River, Kecharis Monastery consists of three churches, dating from the 11th century: St. Gregory the Illuminator, St. Nshan, and St. Katoghiké. Two smaller chapels also exist, though now in disrepair. In the nearby church graveyard, there is a small chapel, St. Harutyun (Holy Resurrection).

Kecharis Monastery is surrounded by many 12-13th century khatchkars. Mkhitar Airivanetsi and Vardan Bardzraberttsi write that Kecharis Monastery was founded by Prince Apirat Pahlavuni. The main cathedral, St. Gregory the Illuminator, dominates the countryside, with its solid and imposing basalt walls. According to historical records the monastery was a major center of learning in the Armenian Middle Ages until the late 13th century when many other Armenian monasteries had succumbed to the invading central Asian hordes. Such great Armenian scholars as Grigor Magistros and Vasak Khaghbakian lived and worked at Kecharis. Teacher, poet, scholar and philosopher, Khachatur Kecharetsiearned early renown for his hymns and odes, which were revered along with those of St. Grigor Narekatsi and St. Nerses Shnorhali. He was a scion of the Proshian (Khaghbakian) family, whose legacy of churchbuilding around Armenia included the Geghard and Tanahat monasteries and the university complex of Gladzor, which was sponsored by Prince Prosh who is buried at Kecharis.

In 1991, Kecharis was restored to the stewardship of the Armenian Church and renovated between 1998 and 2001. Kecharis now serves as the episcopal seat of the Kotayk Diocese.