10/18/2025
Haven't posted in a minute. Mount Ararat as seen from Khor Virap monastery in Armenia. Khor Virap is where Armenian Christianity originated. Apostle Bartholomew and Apostle Judas (John the beloved) traveled through here and converted Armenians into Christianity. Couple of hundred years later King of Armenia Tiridates the 3rd imprisoned Gregory the Illuminator for 13 years by keeping him in a cave like structure for spreading Christianity. Eventually Gregory the Illuminator became king's mentor and converted him and subsequently the whole kingdom and nation into Christianity making Aremenia first country to accept Christianity as a state religion in 301. It sounds like a fairy tale until you see the place in person. It's a powerful place that shows how love and patience can make your enemy into your friend. Even today from the Cathedral of Ani just on the other side of the border with Turkey that was an ancient Armenian Church (built in 1000) Turkish government blasts religious services in the evening. Even though Turkish government erased the history by converting that cathedral into a mosque, even though they use it as a stage for broadcasting their services all over, still there is so much mistery and power that Khor Virap exudes that no matter what you feel at peace and find the beauty in religious services of your sworn enemy, knowing very well that just like Tiridates the 3rd gave up, so will they. There is no place for hate in this world. This place is the best proof of that. This was taken during my recent trip to Armenia.
