Aruchavank or the Cathedral of Aruch (Արուճավանք; also Surb Grigor) is situated on a rocky plateau at the western foot of Mount Aragats in the village of Aruch in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. According to wall inscriptions on the east wall and manuscripts written by historians Ghevond, Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi, and Stepanos Asoghik, the church and adjoining building for residence (the palace) were commissioned by Prince Grigor Mamikonian and his wife Heghine/Heline between 661 and 682 AD.Encyclopedia of Armenia; Armenian Studies Program at CSU, Fresno Architecturally it is one of the most important Armenian churches of the Middle Ages and also one of the largest.
There is some controversy as to the exact date of the completion of this church because of the reference in the inscription to the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine III (641). According to Nikolai Marr, Haroutyunyan, and Manutcheryan, it is believed that there is confusion with the emperor Constans II (641-668).Different historians give the completion date as follows: 668 according to Strzygowski, 1918 and Der Nersessian, 1969; 670's according to Mnatsakanyan in Aknark, 1964, and Haroutyunyan 1975; 666 by Manutcheryan, 1977.
The church was restored during 1946–1948, except for the drum and cupola. The church had been extensively damaged by earthquakes and possibly by its use as a fortress in the 16th and 17th centuries (Oramanian, 1948). Aruchavank at Armenica
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