The Cathedral of Yereruyk
BY ACHOD PAPASIAN
One day, I was hanging out at my friend Siuneh’s and found a book dedicated to Armenian architecture in her library.
As I leafed through the pages, I came across the Yereruyk and Talin cathedrals—two jewels of medieval Armenian art I had never visited. When the desire to see an Armenian church is stuck in my mind, it becomes my resolve to fulfill it. The evening before going on the trip, I discussed my upcoming adventure with dear friend Manouk, who suggested that I take the opportunity to also visit the Dashtadem fortress, an impressive yet little known monument located in the town of Talin. The next morning, a chilly winter day in February, I took the train heading to Gyumri, riding along the Turkish border. First stop: the Yereruyk basilica, located in the village of Anipemza, very close to the frontier.
I got off at the Aniavan station, and rushed to a nearby shop to buy some supplies. The shopkeeper asked me suspiciously: “Where are you from? What are you doing here?â€
