Revival of Monastic Life in Armenia in Seventeenth Century: Halidzor and Tatev Hermitages
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This article examines the history and architecture of Halidzor (Halijor) and Tatev (Tatʿev) Hermitages. As a result of prolonged wars, monastic life in Armenia had fallen into decline, and the rules of monasticism had been forgotten. The revival of the Armenian monastic tradition is closely associated with the names of Sarkis the Bishop, Kirakos the Priest, and their companions. Drawing on the testimony of the seventeenth-century Armenian historian Arakel of Davrizh (Aṙakʿel Dawrižecʿi), this article presents the history of the foundation of the Great Halidzor Hermitage, also known as the Harants Hermitage (the Armenian word Harancʿ means Fathersʿ). It was established between 1611 and 1613 and was subsequently destroyed by an earthquake and landslide in 1658. The article then presents the history of the foundation of the Great Tatev Hermitage, which continued the spiritual and monastic tradition of the Great Halidzor Hermitage. The article also analyzes the daily life and practices of the two hermitages, including the monksʿ meals and fasting, monastic vestments, and the order of prayers. It further presents the architecture of the Halidzor and Tatev Hermitages on the basis of plans prepared by the architect Murad Hasratyan (1973). The article concludes with an overview of the ongoing archaeological excavations and their principal findings. It is accompanied by photographs, including architectural plans of both hermitages, images of the churches and adjacent buildings, and documentation of the archaeological excavations.
Source: Christianity in the Middle East
DOI: 10.65324/cme030
Institutions: Matenadaran, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography
Language: English
Subfield: Classics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7219901631