Saturday 13 May 2023

ARMENIA

This excellent cover came from Armenia. It depicts 4 stamps of the same type (issued in 2022), celebrating the UNESCO World Heritage site Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley. The Monastery of Geghard is located in the Azat River gorge. Saint Gregory the Illuminator founded the monastery in the 4th century, according to tradition. This coincided with the introduction of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia. The main complex dates to the 13th century. It includes rock-cut churches, tombs, residential cells, and several khachkars (Armenian memorial stele with decorated crosses). The monastery was an important ecclesial and cultural centre of medieval Armenia. It was inscribed at UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000.