Although the Saint Davit (Apranq) Monastery (located in Uchpinar village subordinate to Derjan province of Yerznka and one of the strongest Armenian monasteries in Western Armenia) has been demolished numerous times, the church, chapel and two tremendous cross-stones of the monastery remain standing, reported Ozgurdersim.com’s correspondent Erjan Topach, according to Akunq.net.

According to the source, this monastery, which is located on Mount Vank in Uchpinar village, was the spiritual center of the region in the 19^th century. The two cross-stones of the monastery are the largest in the region. As the correspondent stressed, there are several Armenian inscriptions on the cross-stones. The year 1191 is carved on the 4 meter high and 1 meter wide cross-stone, and the year 1194 is carved on the other cross-stone. As the correspondent highlights, these cross-stones contain a secret that is at least 800 years old. According to the correspondent, the monastery is destroyed by treasure hunters.

Citizen of the Republic of Turkey Ismayil Yoleri mentioned the following in an interview with correspondent Erjan Topach: “When we came here, we encountered a historic beauty. However, a part of it had been destroyed by treasure hunters. This monastery needs to be restored as soon as possible for the growth of tourism.”

The correspondent also talked to photographer Malik Kaya, who particularly said the following: “Basically, it is a wonderful site. We have been here for one-and-a-half hours. We can stay here for at least a week and take photos. There is a lot to take photos of. I am excited to see such a thing because I am capturing photos of a new site. However, I also feel sad to see holes dug here. The competent authorities need to take care of and restore this monument as soon as possible.”

At the end, the correspondent reports that, according to historical sources, many Alevis were exiled from Dersim to this region in the late 1800s.

Translated from Turkish into Armenian by Meline Anumyan

Akunq.net