Aruchavanq

Aruchavanq — the Cathedral of Aruch — is a 7th-century church that stands among the largest and most architecturally significant built in medieval Armenia. It sits on a rocky plateau at the western foot of Mount Aragats, in the village of Aruch, Aragatsotn province.

The dating comes from more than guesswork.

Wall inscriptions on the east side, backed up by the medieval historians Ghevond, Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi, and Stepanos Asoghik, place the church and its adjoining residential building between 661 and 682 AD. Prince Grigor Mamikonian and his wife Heghine commissioned both.

The name folds vank (monastery) onto the older place name Aruch. Locally the church also goes by its dedication, to St. Gregory the Illuminator.

Aruchavanq stands in Aragatsotn province, in the village of Aruch, on the western slopes below Mount Aragats. In a straight line, that's about 38 km northwest of Yerevan; road access is best checked locally.