Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank Monasteries

Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank Monasteries

Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank., both monasteries are located on the edge of a deep gorge of the Kasakh river and are in pure harmony with the surrounding nature. In these monasteries, just like in many others, Armenians created and copied numerous manuscripts, which are now exhibited in Yerevan, in Matenadaran - the depository of ancient manuscripts. There is a legend connected with one of the two monasteries. In the course of its history, Armenia was invaded many times. When this happened again and the abbot of the monastery saw the army approaching the complex, he decided to kill himself by drowning in the river not to see the enemies destroy the monastery. But the water didn’t accept him and he walked on the water as on earth. The commander of the army saw this miracle and decided to fulfill any will of the abbot. The abbot asked him to save the lives of those who would be able to enter the church. Hundreds of people entered the church and they were saved. The commander was surprised and also entered and saw only doves flying inside. People turned into doves! He was astonished and decided to leave this place at once. In reality, there was a secret passage to the gorge and people simply entered that tunnel and ran away.