Holy Mother of God Church

Holy Mother of God Church, in the village of Noratus in Gegharkunik region, dates to the 9th century, raised at the initiative of Prince Sahak Syunetsi. It was built srbatash — cut from finely dressed stone — and originally had a domed hall of large stone blocks.

That dome collapsed over the years. Armenians who resettled in Noratus from Alashkert later covered the building with wooden beams (gerans) to keep it in use.

The church stands in Gegharkunik region, in the village of Noratus near Gavar, roughly 60 km east-northeast of Yerevan as the crow flies.