Mount Ararat with the historic Khor Virap monastery visible at center-left

Khachkars

The primary function of khachkars was commemorative: erected at graves, on church walls, and along roads 'for the salvation of the soul' (hogi pargevatsvats) of the deceased, as their inscriptions state. This memorial function explains their concentration at cemeteries such as Noratus and throughout Armenian churchyard contexts across the medieval period.

The primary function of khachkars was commemorative: erected at graves, on church walls, and along roads 'for the salvation of the soul' (hogi pargevatsvats) of the deceased, as their inscriptions state. This memorial function explains their concentration at cemeteries such as Noratus and throughout Armenian churchyard contexts across the medieval period.

1527Khachkars