Kusanats Desert Church

Kusanats Anapat (Hermitage of Nuns) Church

The Kusanats Anapat Church stands on an elevated position above Haghpat Monastery, at the foot of Mount Arajnaglukh. A wonderful view opens up from there towards Mount Surb Luys (Holy Light) and Haghpat village. It began to be called by this name in the 19th century, having been previously known as the Church of the Holy Mother of God (Tiramor Church).

It is presumed to have been built between 1200 and 1230. The bluish basalt church is a cruciform hall structure with a dome rising on its half-columns. The entrance is adorned with carvings, a decorative arch, and pilasters, above which an Armenian inscription is present. There are numerous engravings on the dome and the hall.

Immediately next to the church, three gigantic, elegant khachkars (cross-stones), dedicated to monks, stand on a pedestal. This is the burial site of several prominent figures: Archbishop Hovhannes Hamazasp, who initiated the construction of Hamazasp’s Gavit in Haghpat Monastery; Vartapets (Archimandrites) Ignatios and Stepanos, who played a major role in preserving the principles of the Armenian Apostolic Church; and Archbishop Gevorg, a correspondent of Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali.

The area was surrounded by a wall, which was partially preserved until the early 19th century. A medieval cemetery extended from here down to the Haghpat Monastery spring, only a small part of which remains, having given way to the modern cemetery. The church had separate cells designed for hermits. Drinking water was brought here from adjacent forest springs via fired clay pipes.

One can reach the site via the Medieval Trail of the Monastics (Miabanneri araget), which starts from the Haghpat monastic complex, passes by the monastery’s spring, and ends near the Kusanats Anapat Church. The distance is 580 meters. It is recommended to take the path below the modern cemetery. The entrance is free 24 hours a day.