Diocese of Kotayk ( Kotayki t'em), is a diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church covering the Kotayk Province of Armenia. The name is derived from the historic Kotayk canton of Ayrarat province of Armenia Major.
The diocese was officially founded on May 30, 1996, upon a kontakion issued by Catholicos Karekin I. The diocesan headquarters are located in the provincial capital Hrazdan, while the cathedral of the diocese is the Kecharis Monastery in the nearby town of Tsaghkadzor.
History
The Diocese of Kotayk is considered the successor of the historic Diocese of Bjni founded by Catholicos Peter I in 1031. Bjni was one of the largest dioceses of medieval Armenia. The bishop of Bjni was one of 4 bishops that possessed a special privilege in the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians, others being the bishops of Syunik, Haghpat and Artaz.
The Diocese of Bjni has been intact until the mid 18th century.
Active churches
Here is the list of churches, monasteries and chapels functioning under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Kotayk, along with their location and year of consecration:
Churches
Surp Kiraki Church, Arzni, 6th century
Surp Sarkis Church, Bjni, 7th century
Surp Hovhannes Church, Alapars, 7th century
Surp Vartan Zoravar Church, Alapars, 901
Holy Mother of God Church, Bjni, 1031
Mashtots Hayrapet Church, Garni, 12th century
Holy Mother of God Church, Yeghvard, 1301
Kaptavank Church, Kaputan, 1349
Holy Mother of God Church, Garni, 17th century
Surp Stepanos Church, Abovyan, 1851
Surp Karapet Church, Akunk, 1855
Holy Cross Church, Hrazdan, 1861
Surp Hakob Church, Aramus, 1863
Holy Mother of God Church, Fantan, 19th century
Holy Mother of God Church, Solak, 19th century
Holy Mother of God Church, Meghradzor, 1881
Holy Mother of God Church, Hrazdan, 1883
Saint George's Church, Argel, 1890
Surp Hovhannes Church, Arinj, 1890
Holy Mother of God Church, Jrvezh, 1891
Holy Mother of God Church, Alapars, 1897
Holy Saviour's Church, Charentsavan, 2000
Surp Harutyun Church, Nurnus, 2001
Holy Mother of God Church, Arinj, 2002
Holy Martyrs Church, Teghenik, 2003
Tukh Manuk Church, Hrazdan, 2003
Saint John the Baptist Church, Abovyan, 2013
Saint George's Church, Hrazdan, 2013
Holy Saviour's Church, Nor Hachn, 2015
Holy Cross Church, Garni, 2015
Surp Sarkis Church, Yeghvard, 2017
Monasteries
Geghard Monastery near Goght, 4th century, with the Katoghike Chapel dating back to 1215 Dzagavank Monastery near Getargel, consisted of 2 churches: Surp Nshan Church of the 7the century, and the belfry chapel of the 14th century Makravank Monastery, Hrazdan, consisted of 2 churches: the Holy Saviour's Church of the 10th century and the Holy Mother of God Church of the 13th century Kecharis Monastery, Tsaghkadzor, consisted of 3 churches and 2 chapels: Saint Grigor Church of 1013, Surp Nshan Church of the 11th century, Katoghike Church of the 13th century, Chapel of Saint Grigor of the 11th century, and the Chapel of Surp Harutyun of 1220
Chapels
Tsaghkevank Chapel, Teghenik, 7-8th centuries
Karmravor Chapel, Arinj, 13th century
Tukh Manuk Chapel, Arinj, 13th century
Holy Mother of God Chapel, Aramus, 13-14th centuries
Holy Mother of God Chapel, Arinj, 15th century
Tukh Manuk Chapel, Alapars, 19th century
Surp Karapet Chapel, Arinj, 20th century
Blue Cross Chapel, Hrazdan, 1996
Saint Barbara's Chapel, Balahovit, 1999
Saint Vartan Chapel, Byureghavan, 2000
Holy Cross Chapel, Ptghni, 2005
Surp Narek Chapel, Kotayk, 2006
Saint Gregory Chapel, Zar, 2008
Holy Mother of God Chapel, Dzoraghbyur, 2010
Tukh Manuk Chapel, Argel, 2013
Inactive/ruined churches and monasteries
This is an incomplete list of inactive or ruined churches and monasteries in the territory regulated by the Diocese of Kotayk: