Eduard Sharmazanov, a member of the RPA Supreme Body, writes:
"Astvatsatsin Astvatsatsin Akhtala. It was built in 1188. The daughter of Tashir-Dzoraget King Kyurike Bagratuni, Mary, Mariam, on which the founder of the Church and the year ago, was placed in the area of the monastery complex a few years ago. In the Middle Ages, the monastery was known as a copper choice monastery. Ivan Zakaryan died in his "Armenian history", one of the liberated Armenian prince, from Turkish elements, died in 1241 and his body was summed up in copperma.
The walls of St. Astvatsatsin Church are illustrated with magnificent, wonderful stored frescoes. The frescoes were made in the XIII century. The frescoes approach the Byzantine with their color solutions, but the choice of topics is purely Armenian. Two-layer high-art murals depict separate episodes of the old and new tests, images of saints, including the image of Gregory the Illuminator. The dome of the tabernacle is Mariam Astvatsatsin, sitting on the throne, baby Jesus on the arm. (Only a part of the mural has been preserved), the scene of the sacrament, the mysterious supper. This church has been a place of pilgrimage for the children of Armenian and Greek peoples for centuries.
Today, St. Mariam Astvatsatsin rested to the devoted children of Father Hetum and Church his unique and valuable importance. "
