Kuys Varvara (the Virgin Barbara) - is one of the saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and much revered religious figure in some parts of Armenia. And the Tsaghkavank ("Flower Monastery" in Armenian) - is a cave shrine devoted to her on the southern slopes of Mount Ara in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia.

People call the water flowing from the upper part of the cave at the foot of Mount Ara - the “tears” of the Holy Virgin Barbara, and believe in its healing properties. Religious people come here with faith in the miraculous power of water and take it with them, hoping to cure the sick.

According to a legend, the Christian Varvara, having escaped from her idolater father, hid in a cave on Mount Ara. The father pursues the daughter, finds and kills her. Before her death, Varvara asked God that children with smallpox and rubella be healed. The Lord fulfills her request and the children of the parents, who pray for Varvara's favor, are freed from these diseases.

It is with this legend that the Armenian Apostolic Church explains the name of the place of pilgrimage on Mount Ara as the "Tsaghkavank" (smallpox in Armenian sounds like "Tsaghik").

Contact Phoenix Tour today - and we will arrange for you a trip to Mount Ara to see the St. Barbara’s Monastery, that will fit perfectly within your budget and given timeline. For more information, please contact us at info@phoenixtour.am