Diocese of Vayots Dzor ( Vayots Dzori t'em), is one of the newest dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church covering the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia. The diocesan headquarters are located in the town of Yeghegnadzor. The seat of the bishop is the 12th-century Holy Mother of God Cathedral of Yeghegnadzor.
The diocese was established in 2010, when it was separated from the Diocese of Syunik.Հայաստանում հիմնվել են երկու նոր թեմեր՝ Վայոց թեմը և Տավուշի թեմը (New dioceses are formed in Armenia: Vayots Dzor and Tavush) The prelacy building is located on the Grigor Narekatsi Street in the town of Yeghagndzor.
Structure The primate of the diocese is archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan who is in service since the formation of the diocese in December 2010. The vicar is archimandrite Zareh Kabaghyan, while the remaining 5 priests are serving the 17 acting places of worship within the Vayots Dzor Province.
The diocese has the following departments: Administration Media Christian education centre Youth union Creativity group
Active churches Here is the list of churches (10), monasteries (5) and chapels (2) functioning under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Vayots Dzor, along with their location and year of consecration:
Churches Holy Mother of God Cathedral, Yeghnadzor, 12th century Holy Mother of God Church, Areni, 1321 Zorats Surp Stepanos Church, Yeghegis, 14th century Holy Mother of God Church, Khachik, 1681 Holy Mother of God Church, Martiros, 1866 Surp Hakob Church, Vernashen, 19th century Saint Trdat Church, Vayk, 2000 Saint Anne Church, Malishka, 2000 Saint Mariam Church, Aghavnadzor, 2001 Saint Gayane Church, Jermuk, 2007
Monasteries Noravank near Areni, 1205 Spitakavor Monastery near Vernashen, 1321 Arkaz Holy Cross Monastery near Vernashen, 1872
Chapels Surp Mariam Chapel, Martiros, 2004 Saint Gayane Chapel, Kechut, 2007 Surp Yeghishe Chapel, Gndevaz, 2013
Inactive/ruined churches and monasteries Arates Monastery near Arates, 7th century Tanahat Monastery near Vernashen, 8-13th centuries Karevank Monastery near Yeghegis, 9-10th centuries Shativank near Shatin, 929 Gndevank near Gndevaz, 936 Tsaghats Kar Monastery near Artabuynk, 10th century Hermon Monastery near Yeghegis, 10th century Holy Mother of God Church, Yeghegis, 10th century Khotakerats Monastery near Khachik, 10th century Saint Zion Monastery near Herher, 10-13th centuries Surp Mamas Monastery near Salli, 12-13th centuries Surp Nshan Church, Yeghegis, 13th century Martirosavank Monastery, Martiros, 1286 Holy Mother of God Church, Gndevaz, 1686 Church of the Holy Archangels, Horbategh, 1692
Primates Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan (10 December 2010 - )
References
External links Churches of Vayots Dzor Province