St. Mesrop Mashtots of Oshakan

Located in the village of Oshakan in the foothills of Mt. Aragats, the St. Mesrop Mashtots Church was built in 443 by Lord Vahan Amatouni on the site of St. Mesrop’s grave. The church was rebuilt in 1639-45 by Catholicos Pilipos I Aghbaketsi, and again by the people of the village in 1873-79, who built a crypt with an onyx tombstone dedicated to the foremost teacher of the Armenian people.

Later, a two-story bell house with eight pillars was added. Its cylindrical shape and direct access from the altar are unique. In 1913, a school was built next to the church. During the reign of Catholicos Vazgen I of blessed memory, a monument engraved with the alphabet was placed at the entrance to the crypt.

The church’s interior has a mural entitled Glory to Armenian Letters and Education depicting St. Mesrop holding the newly created alphabet. The arch-shaped window opening in the center of the nave is ingeniously designed: when bright sunlight illuminates the alphabet depicted on the window, the image is cast on the wall, highlighting the focal point of the mural. St. Sahak Partev, King Vramshapuh and his queen, along with Lord Vahan Amatuni and his ministers, are also represented in the mural.

The school next to the church continues its educational mission as a scholarly center for conferences and special events relating to Armenian letters, such as the international conference on Biblical Armenia, held in 1999.