Akipress , Kyrgyzstan
Aug 8 2005

Archeologists Discover Medieval Monastery In Kyrgyzstan

Archaeologists in Kyrgyzstan say they have discovered the remains of
a medieval Christian monastery on the northern bank of Lake
Issyk-Kul.

Aleksandr Kamyshev, who is heading the team from the Kyrgyz-Russian
Slavic University, told ITAR-TASS that archeologists have long
suspected the existence of a monastery built by Armenian Christians
on the shore of Issyk-Kul.

Maps from the time charting the Silk Road suggest the remains of the
Apostle Matthew are buried near the monastery walls.

Kamyshev said the monastery was built around the 14th century and is
designed in a style similar to medieval Armenian Christian monasteries.