Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia Postcard

This postcard features the Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia. This fortified monastery is a place of pilgrimage and a holy site for the Armenian Apostolic Church and is one of the main attractions of the Ararat Province. The history of the site dates back to a pagan temple that stood here for centuries before Christ’s birth. An important visit happened at Khor Virap, between Gregory, son of Parthian nobles, and King Trdat III, of Armenia. Parthia and Armenia had been fighting for generations, and Gregory and Trdat were finally meeting after their fathers had been involved in a deadly battle. Trdat wanted to lay flowers at the pagan temple, and Gregory was forced to confess that he was Christian. Trdat punished Gregory and threw him into a deep pit where he was kept for 13 years. As the years went on, Trdat's health was failing him. His wife, who had already converted to Christianity, told him that he would feel better after he released Gregory. She was right. After being cured, Trdat converted to Christianity in 301, making Armenia the first official Christian country in the world. Gregory became St. Gregory the Illuminator, revered for converting Armenia to Christianity. Enjoy your new Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia Postcard!