By Elise Adourian
August 1, 2019
Episode 2: Goshavank
The sun rose behind Goshavank Monastery, illuminating the crosses nestled onto the monasteries’ peaks. Goshavank Monastery was built in the 12th century by Duke Ivane Zakarian and Mkhitar Gosh, hence the name of the church. Goshavank was constructed in place of another monastery, Ghetik, that was destroyed in the earthquake of 1188. Because of this, Goshavank was originally known as Nor Ghetik, which literally translates to New Ghetik, but was changed to Goshavank after the death of Mkhitar Gosh in 1213.
Another day began at the functioning church Goshavank as buses and cars filled the parking lot. Vendors lined the road winding up the small hill leading to Goshavank, calling for people to buy their products. A small shop ‘won’ the contest for most customers as tourists bought ice cream and water. Church hymns could be heard playing from the monastery as people crowded to listen.
In the past, the monks of Goshavank were also scientists, and Mkhitar Gosh himself was a scientist as well as a scholar, writer, and a priest. In 1184 Gosh wrote the դատաստանագիր, or The Code of Laws. Mkhitar Gosh was also the author of many well-known fables. One of the most frequently asked questions about Mkhitar Gosh is about how he gained such wisdom and knowledge, the answer to which can be found in one of his fables. That particular fable describes a method of how to learn and become better at something.
In the fable, an elephant takes its child to the philosopher Plato and asks him to teach the baby elephant how to become a philosopher. A year later Plato calls the father elephant and explains that the baby cannot become a philosopher. Hearing this, the father asks why. Plato responds by explaining that the child elephant is incapable of being patient and calm, and that this interrupts learning. This fable was in a way an autobiography of Mkhitar Gosh, as he considered himself to be calm and studious, traits that he felt led to his success.
As mentioned before, Goshavank is currently a functioning church, and open to everyone. After conducting service, Ter Tadeos, the current priest, also spoke about Mkhitar Gosh and the history of the church. Ter Tadeos also helped in the creation of karate and dance clubs in the nearby village of Gosh, named after, you guessed it, Mkhitar Gosh. He was, “one of the most progressive priests I have ever seen,” according to my mother. After the service, he speaks about the church and Mkhitar Gosh, though he speaks in Armenian. Overall, Goshavank was a breathtaking experience I would recommend to anyone, so definitely put it on your list if you are visiting Armenia.
Sources: https://armeniadiscovery.com/en/place/goshavank, http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Goshavank_Monastery, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mkhitar_Gosh
Image credits: https://findarmenia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Goshavank_monastery_complex_general_wiev_from_south_from_shrine_og_Mkhitar_Gosh.jpg, https://phoenixtour.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/05-GOSHAVANK-MONASTERY.jpg, http://eurasia.travel/files/the_little_switzerland_of_armenia_1024x683_tae.jpg, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Mkhitar_Gosh.jpg/1200px-Mkhitar_Gosh.jpg
