The story of how Christianity first became a national religion is both enigmatic and strange. History tells of a runaway virgin, Hripsime, martyred because she spurned Armenia’s evil king, Tiridates the Great. The king was subsequently turned into a wild boar through divine justice, and his people were tormented with afflictions. But his sister had visions that Gregory the Illuminator (257–331 CE), whom the king had seen as a threat and imprisoned in a deep pit for thirteen years, was his only hope for recovery. Gregory, who had miraculously survived his ordeal, was pulled from the pit to cure Tiridates, who repented and converted to Christianity.
In this essay, I discuss the mystical significance of the great Armenian monastery complex of Geghard. The piece was originally published in print as part of Mockingbird Magazine's mystery issue in the spring of 2024. Now, it's also available on Mockingbird's website.
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley
4th-13th centuries
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