Sacred Space, Sacred Music

We left the Hakobyans and drove out to the mountains to visit Geghard Monastery.  The church dates from 1215 and is built into the mountain and beside a river.  The river runs through part of the church and people fill bottles with holy water with them to cure their ills. The church provides access to another building that has a roof formed by stalactites, and tje convent of the monastery is in a cave adjoining this building.  The only way in to the convent is through a narrow opening in the roof.  The churches in this monastery are still functioning.  We went through a narrow opening into a cave and appreciated a concert of sacred music performed a capella.

On the way to Geghard Monastery. As you can see, it's remote.  Mt Ararat in the distance.

Although we drove in on a somewhat primitive road, can you imagine getting to this monastery back in the early days?

A beekeeper, probably a monk, next to the monastery.

We went through the opening in the lower center of the picture to hear the music.

These are the singers, before the performance.  They are wearing robes decorated with pomegranates.

Inside the cave.

When we went into the entry of the church next door we encountered this. The stream with the holy water is in this same room.

This is the main sanctuary of the church at Geghard Monastery.  It is still functioning as you can tell from the candles, altar cloths, etc.

I agree the spaces at this monetary are sacred, as is the music.  But in my mind, the location also qualifies.