Raffi Berberian Photography

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Raffi Berberian Photography

My goal is to share cultural, historic, and natural sites through my Armenia: In Between project.

06/13/2026

Our next stop takes us to a site that was shrouded in mystery for a long time: the Jewish Cemetery of Yeghegis.

It is located on the southern edge of the village next to the Yeghegis River. You must use a small bridge to cross the river to get to the site.

While there is no definite historical evidence proving the existence of Jewish communities in Yeghegis and other parts of Armenia, this site tells a fascinating story. The gravestones were only discovered between 1997-1998, and excavations led by Professor Michael Stone and Dr. D. Amit between 2000-2003 revealed 64 whole gravestones and many fragments.

As you walk through the fenced territory near the woody forest, take a close look at the stones. Ten of them carry inscriptions in Hebrew and Aramaic, dating from 1266 to 1346. It is interesting to see that similarities between these and Armenian gravestones prove that the local Jewish community had adopted local cultural norms and traditions.

The inscriptions on the stones are also unique. They aren't just facts about a person's death; many are artistic and poetic statements. You can find some of the translations on the sign post at the entrance.

Certain parts of the site other than have been cleared of the trees and bushes, but other spots are kind of still in the forested areas. Can see how they used to look before they were discovered and why it took so long for them to be rediscovered.

The site has been open to the public for pilgrimage and official visits since May 2009.

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04/30/2026

It was wonderful to walk around the fully opened today at the ! It was my first time seeing it without all of the fencing and it truly is a beautiful tribute to Armenian heritage. Looking forward to phase 2 which will add some artwork, carvings, and other education materials!

04/27/2026

It was an honor to attend and assist in the dedication ceremony of the Armenian Heritage Walk in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Great job to the entire Armenian Heritage Foundation for all of their hard work and for the community for showing support!

The walk is now one of the largest public displays of Armenian Art and one of the largest Armenian genocide memorials outside of Armenia in the world!

We must remember and honor our past but I can see a bright future ahead!

02/11/2026

As you enter the historic village of Yeghegis from the west, admire the beautiful surroundings. To your left (north), Smbataberd sits out of view on a tall ridge of about 1900m (6233ft) and to your right (south), are fields in the Yeghegis river valley with Gayledzor Mountain towering overhead at 2792m (9156ft).

Our first two stops in our exploration of Yeghegis are right off the road entering the village from the west. On the right side of the road you will first see a walled khachkar monument dating from 1340.

This monument comprises of three sections. It can be considered an arched tabernacle design with a gabled roof. Framing the arch there is an inscription that unfortunately is partially worn away, but what is left tells us that this is a memorial.

And that brings us to the next aspect of this memorial, the carving above the cross. What we are most likely seeing here is Christ flanked by Sts. Peter and Paul. We have seen a similar carving at another Orbelian funded monastery that you may have heard of, Noravank!

That finally brings us to the central aspect of this memorial, the khachkar or cross-stone. Unfortunately it is very weathered but we can see that it had a geometric frame and a rosette design at the bottom.

We now head a minute down the road fully into the village to our second stop on the left of the road. There we find a small cemetery of the Orbelian family. It is important to note that no major members of the family were buried here (they were buried at Noravank).

The cemetery is bounded by a short stone wall and comprises of mostly tapanakar or horizontal burial stones dating from the 13th century. Several of the horizontal stones have inscriptions on them as well as geometric decorations. A noteworthy decoration is an interlaced design that can also be seen at the medieval Jewish cemetery which we will visit next and also at Noravank!

There are a pair of upright khachkars as well with a decorated tympanum-like stone over top which is rare to see. There also seems to be a remnant of a frame with an inscription, this may have framed the entire monument.

12/29/2025

Our next few stops will be located in the historic village of Yeghegis, in the Vayots Dzor Province. This village is overlooked by the Smbataberd fortress and Tsaghats Kar Monastery, two sites we have previously visited. You can see them both in this photo!

During the 9th-10th centuries the village served as the seat of a branch of Syuni princes who ruled the Kingdom of Syunik until the beginning of the 11th century when they submitted to the Bagratid kingdom.

Following the fall of the Bagratid Kingdom, the Orbelians took over and ruled most of Vayots Dzor and Syunik by the 13th century.

The Orbelians established Yeghegis as their primary residence and administrative center. It also became a hub for the Silk Road!

As history has shown, kingdoms don't last forever and their rule ended by the 15th century due to the invasions of Timur, mostly displacing the local Armenian population.

Today the local population is mostly made up of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan that were displaced during the 1988 Sumgait pogrom.

Stay tuned as we enter the village and visit several sites hidden in this historic capital!

12/08/2025

There are many details that you can miss when visiting a place such as Tsaghats Kar Monastery. Here are some more photos of the carvings and decorations at this site!

11/26/2025

High in the mountains of Vayots Dzor quietly overlooking the Yeghegis river valley, you will find the 10th-11th century Tsaghats Kar Monastic Complex, our next stop. Be sure to have a 4x4 to get here, because if you don't, you might have to walk up the mountain!

The first structure you will see is the St. Karapet Church, built in 1041. Made from basalt stone, it has a classic central-domed plan with a cruciform foundation.

The main entrance is from the south and is beautifully decorated with inscriptions and an interesting grape vine carving. Above the door to the left you will see an eagle with lamb in its claws, which is part of the royal Proshyan family crest.

You cannot miss the two large khachkars (Armenian Cross-Stones) that greet you next to the entrance.

Enter the church and turn right, to the east, and you will see the altar a unique wine jug decoration. That pairs well with the grape vine entrance and even the khachkars outside had some grapes on them! Notice the side chapels on either side of the altar and on the two corners behind you as well.

Exit the church and do a loop around it. You will see some carvings decorating the windows and drum of the church. On the northern wall you will find an enormous bas-relief of a (terrifying) lion attacking a bull. It is the largest of its kind! This is part of the crest of the royal Orbelyan family.

Directly to the east of the main church, we now head over to the St. Nshan Church Mausoleum also dating to 1041. Its exterior is framed by beautifully carved khachkars.

The dark interior has some beautiful carvings and inscriptions on the walls and if you look up, you are treated to a geometrically designed vaulted dome!

Back on the exterior, if you walk around to the northern side up the hill, you will see that there is a second story chapel above with a separate entrance.

This site was my last stop of the day and the light was fading, but it was a magical and peaceful time!

10/21/2025

Our next stop is coming soon! Here's the view from it. Where do you think I am?

09/11/2025

Our next location is very isolated, but at the same time relatively close to civilization! I am talking about the 10th-17th century Shativank Monastic complex. It is a little under a 2 hour hike from the Shatin village or if you have a 4x4, a rough 30 minute drive. But when you get there it is worth it!

According to Stepanos Orbelian, Shativank was established in 929 AD. It was established by Bishop Hakob of Syunik, with the support of Prince Smbat, his wife Sophia, and his brother Sahak.

As you approach the top of the gorge and look down into it, bask in the majesty of this sight! The monastery, nestled in its own world, and the large mountains in the background.

As we get closer, you will realize the magnitude of the fortress-like walls of the monastery. You can also see the remnants of round towers on the corners.

The main entrance of the monastery yard is on the west wall. Around it you will see foundations of other buildings.

Entering the yard you will get your first up-close look at the St. Sion Church. The church was originally built in the 12th century but was rebuilt from 1654-56 by a former merchant known as Hakob of Jugha.

On the wall of the church you will see several khachkar above the entrance some of them are dedicated to Hakob.

On the southern wall, overlooking the gorge, there is an inscription by Hakob, explaining why he rebuilt the church.

Look south towards the gorge, there are foundations of small rooms that may have been rooms for the around 70-90 monks that once lived here!

In the southeast corner of the yard, there is another ruined building that leads to the inside of the wall which contains a long vaulted room, there are no separate rooms inside here.

Entering the church you will see a mostly simple three-aisled basilica with some decorative carving scattered throughout.

As always be sure to walk around the entire complex, you never know what you might discover!

Sadly the monastery is not in very good shape, so let's spread awareness of it!

08/27/2025

Revelation 4:6–8
..and before the throne there is as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And round the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:

the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle.

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing,

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

At the 14th century Surb Astvatsatsin of Areni Church.

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2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA
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