"KHOR VIRAP HURLED AT THE NEWLY-MARRIED COUPLE"

A1+
[01:00 pm] 29 October, 2007

It is already a few days the path to the sacristy of Khor Virap
Monastery has been blocked by stones falling from the walls.

"A few days ago a thunder was heard during a wedding ceremony. The
guests rushed out in a trice," sexton Vigen says.

At first I thought it was an earthquake. Suddenly I saw huge blocks
falling down and blocking the way.

Everybody thought the whole building will hurl at the newly-married
couple, Vigen told A1+.

"Fortunately, there were no victims. The guests had already descended
when the stones began collapsing.

There is a 3-4 meter crack on the wall. I fear to imagine the
consequences when the wall pulls down."

Despite the poor state of the building, tourists continue visiting
the historical destination.

Artyom Grigorian, the Head of the Commission for Protection of
Monuments, states they are aware of the monastery state, but it is
upon Holy Echmiadzin to deal with the matter as the monastery belongs
to the Armenian Apostolic church.

The walls of the monastery are multi-layer. Special techniques and
great sums are required for the restoration. He voiced hope that the
relevant bodies would take measures in this respect.

Meanwhile, the watchmen have to remove huge blocks to open the path
to the sacristy.

To note, according to Artyom Grigorian, many monuments need emergency
repair besides the monastery of Khor Virap.