Diocese of Kotayk


Diocese of Kotayk, is a diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church covering the Kotayk Province of Armenia. The name is derived from the historic Kotayk canton of Ayrarat province of Armenia Major.
The diocese was officially founded on May 30, 1996, upon a kontakion issued by Catholicos Karekin I. The diocesan headquarters are located in the provincial capital Hrazdan, while the cathedral of the diocese is the Kecharis Monastery in the nearby town of Tsaghkadzor.
WWW kotaykitem.am

History

The Diocese of Kotayk is considered the successor of the historic Diocese of Bjni founded by Catholicos Peter I in 1031. Bjni was one of the largest dioceses of medieval Armenia. The bishop of Bjni was one of 4 bishops that possessed a special privilege in the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians, others being the bishops of Syunik, Haghpat and Artaz.
The Diocese of Bjni has been intact until the mid 18th century.

Active churches

Here is the list of churches, monasteries and chapels functioning under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Kotayk, along with their location and year of consecration:

Churches

Monasteries

  • Geghard Monastery near Goght, 4th century, with the Katoghike Chapel dating back to 1215
  • Dzagavank Monastery near Getargel, consisted of 2 churches: Surp Nshan Church of the 7the century, and the belfry chapel of the 14th century
  • Makravank Monastery, Hrazdan, consisted of 2 churches: the Holy Saviour's Church of the 10th century and the Holy Mother of God Church of the 13th century
  • Kecharis Monastery, Tsaghkadzor, consisted of 3 churches and 2 chapels: Saint Grigor Church of 1013, Surp Nshan Church of the 11th century, Katoghike Church of the 13th century, Chapel of Saint Grigor of the 11th century, and the Chapel of Surp Harutyun of 1220

Chapels

  • Tsaghkevank Chapel, Teghenik, 7-8th centuries
  • Karmravor Chapel, Arinj, 13th century
  • Tukh Manuk Chapel, Arinj, 13th century
  • Holy Mother of God Chapel, Aramus, 13-14th centuries
  • Holy Mother of God Chapel, Arinj, 15th century
  • Tukh Manuk Chapel, Alapars, 19th century
  • Surp Karapet Chapel, Arinj, 20th century
  • Blue Cross Chapel, Hrazdan, 1996
  • Saint Barbara's Chapel, Balahovit, 1999
  • Saint Vartan Chapel, Byureghavan, 2000
  • Holy Cross Chapel, Ptghni, 2005
  • Surp Narek Chapel, Kotayk, 2006
  • Saint Gregory Chapel, Zar, 2008
  • Holy Mother of God Chapel, Dzoraghbyur, 2010
  • Tukh Manuk Chapel, Argel, 2013

Inactive/ruined churches and monasteries

This is an incomplete list of inactive or ruined churches and monasteries in the territory regulated by the Diocese of Kotayk: