Throughout centuries, Armenian monasteries have played a great role in the spiritual, cultural and political life of the Armenian people. These holy sites are recognized not only as centers of prayer, but also as scriptoriums where numerous works and translations were scripted, hand-copied and passed on to generations to come. Many of the church complexes represent magnificent and inimitable samples of the Armenian ancient and medieval architecture.

Vorotnavank Monastery is located in Syunik region of Armenia, 14 km north of the town of Sisian. It was founded in the year c. 1000 by Syunik Queen Shahandukht. According to historian Stepanos Orbelian, the oldest church of the monastery, the Church of St. Gregory, was founded by Gregory the Illuminator and later rebuilt by hermit Stepanos.

