A 5th-century church to be restored on the site of an ancient pagan sanctuary in Armenia

The Church of Saint Stepanos of the Yeritsvanк monastic complex during archaeological excavations. Photo: Armenpress.

On August 30, 2026, it became known that Armenia is preparing the restoration of the Church of Saint Stepanos, part of the ancient monastic complex of Yeritsvanк. Archaeological excavations were carried out on the church grounds before the restoration work begins, reports Armenpress.

According to tradition, the monastery was founded in the 5th – early 6th century. Research has shown that the Christian church was built on the site of an older pagan sanctuary. An early Christian church was later erected on its foundation, which became the basis of the monastic complex.

Archaeologists also discovered that in the 10th–11th centuries the monastery was surrounded by double defensive walls and was effectively used as a fortress. In the 12th–13th centuries, a two-tiered chapel-tomb appeared next to the church, the remains of which have survived to this day.

Specialists are currently continuing to study the artifacts found during the excavations and are preparing a restoration project for the main church. In addition, restoration of the complex's smaller church is planned to begin in the near future. The authorities hope to preserve one of the oldest Christian monuments in the region.

The Union of Orthodox Journalists previously reported that archaeologists found a thousand-year-old cross from the burial site of Rurik's retinue.

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