St. Shogakat Temple

This ancient church is situated just 500 meters from the Church of Saint Ripsime. Its name, Surb Shokagat, translates as “Ray of Heavenly Light,” a title enveloped in rich and varied legends. One tradition tells that a divine ray of light descended upon the Christian virgin martyrs at the moment of their execution. Another recounts that Saint Gregory himself witnessed a radiant beam of light shining down from the heavens.

Among the many stories connected to this sacred site is a poignant legend that speaks of a vineyard once located here, where thirty-seven Christian maidens sought refuge after arriving in Vagharshapat. When soldiers came to lead them to their martyrdom, one of the young women, Mariane, was too ill to walk. She was slain right at this very spot. The Church of Surb Shokagat was built precisely on the place where Saint Mariane breathed her last, and her tomb remains the church’s most revered sanctuary.

Constructed in the 17th century, Surb Shokagat is a single-nave basilica crowned with a semi-circular altar apse and a graceful dome. Its architectural simplicity belies the profound spiritual significance it holds.

Address: Vagharshapat, at the corner of Petrozavodskaya and Nalbandyan Streets. Coordinates: 40.16808, 44.30477.