Aparank monastery was founded in the 10th century to house a relic of the True Cross . The church was restored and expanded in the 17th century , and it was abandoned during the first half of the 20th century after the Armenian Genocide . Pre-genocide , it consisted of the churches of Surb Hovhannes Karapet ( St. John the Baptist ) , Surb Astvatsatsin ( Holy Mother of God ) , and the chapels of Surb Stepannos ( St. Stephen ) and Surb Arakelots ( Holy Apostles ) , a gavit , a fountain , and a hotel
Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
Aparank Monastery