Surp Zorats Church

The village of Yeghegis, located in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Province, holds a notable place in medieval Armenian history. More than just a fortified settlement, it served as the residence of the powerful Orbelyan princes of Syunik during the 13th and 14th centuries.

On the village’s eastern edge stands a church unlike any other in Armenia—the Church of Saint Stepanos, more commonly known as Surb Zorats, or the Church of the Holy Host. Built in the early 14th century, the structure is remarkable not for its ornamentation, but for its radical departure from architectural convention.

Viewed from the east, the church appears ordinary, with an apse flanked by two small chapels. But from the west, the layout is strikingly different: there is no enclosed nave, no interior space for a congregation. Instead, an open-air platform extends before the sanctuary, purpose-built for soldiers. During liturgy, the army would gather here in formation to receive a blessing before riding into battle.

The altar itself is elevated to the height of a mounted rider—designed so that warriors could remain on horseback while taking part in the service. The apse and side chapels are the only roofed spaces in the entire structure.

Unlike traditional Armenian churches and vestibules, which were designed for worshippers on foot, Surb Zorats served a different purpose. It was built specifically to bless mounted warriors and their horses before they rode into battle. This practical need shaped its unique architecture—an open-air platform extending before the apse, allowing cavalry to remain in the saddle during liturgy.

The decision to construct a church for military rites in the domain of the Orbelyan princes reflects their governing style. These rulers maintained regional stability through a mix of diplomacy and military force, which required the upkeep of a sizable army. The church was commissioned by the grandson of Prince Tarsayich Orbelyan, whose residence stood in nearby Areni.

At the time of the church’s construction (1242–1344), Armenia had come under Mongol control. Under this regime, Armenian forces were compelled to fight alongside Mongol armies in campaigns against the Mamluks and rival Turkic factions vying for Armenia’s fertile lands. The church’s elevated altar—set at the height of a mounted rider—was designed so warriors could swear oaths and receive blessings without dismounting.

While blessing soldiers and horses before battle was a common practice, Surb Zorats is the only known Armenian church to accommodate cavalry directly at the sanctuary in an open setting. The structure stands as a singular architectural and cultural response to the demands of its time, when religion, politics, and warfare were tightly interwoven.

The church was erected during a turbulent period when Armenian troops, under Mongol orders, were drawn into conflicts far beyond their homeland—including campaigns in Syria. Today, Surb Zorats has undergone significant restoration. Archaeological work on its grounds continues.