Saint Sion - Herher Monastery

Saint Sion Monastery Complex, also called Herher Monastery, Desert of Holy Sion, is located about 1 km northeast of the village of Herher in the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia, on the top of a small cliff bordered by gorges. The exact date of foundation is unknown. Mentioned in the 8th century. The main monument consists of two churches, a chapel (church). There was a fence, in the area of which the remains of cells, auxiliary outbuildings, a cemetery were preserved. The St. Sion Desert Herher was the center of care for the princes of Shahurnetsi in the 8th-14th centuries and received many donations. In the 14th century, the desert complex was restored by Metar. Here in 1349 Vahan's pen imitated the Gospel. There are many khachkars of the 8th-17th centuries in the deserted courtyard around.

Herher Sain Sion Desert

The Church of St. Sion (Hovhannes) is the oldest church in the complex. It is located on the north side of the group of monuments. Built with hewn stones. Compositionally, it is a rectangular vaulted hall with a semicircular apse. The time of construction is unknown. According to the surviving inscription, it was repaired in the 13th century.

Church of St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) - from the south adjoins the Church of St. Sion. It belongs to the type of a single-nave vaulted hall with two eastern equal semicircular apses. Built with pure hewn stones. According to the surviving inscription, it was erected in 1283 by Prince Paron Vahram Shakhruntsi. Numerous dedicatory inscriptions of the 13th-14th centuries have been preserved on the outer and inner walls of the church.

Chapel (church) - adjoins the Church of St. Sion from the north. Single-nave. Built with pure hewn stones.

Cemetery - in the courtyard of the monastery, khachkars and tombstones of the 13th-17th centuries have been preserved.

The monastery churches are in disrepair and are included in the list of the most damaged monuments.

Photo By: Artur Martirosyan & Manch Asatryan