KHOR VIRAP MONASTERY

The virap was a deep hole full of snakes and poisonous insects, where the convict was thrown. According to the historian Agatangeghos, during the persecution of Christians, Trdat III the Great threw Gregory the Illuminator into the pit of the royal prison in Artashat, where the Enlightener spent about 14 years. During those years Trdat III the Great became infected with a deadly disease and because he knew that the Enlightener could medicate people, he ordered his release. After coming out of Khor Virap, the Enlightener received Christian support and made Christianity a state religion.