Zorats Church (Surp Stepanos), Yeghegis

A church with an open altar

In the village of Yeghegis in Vayots Dzor stands Zorats Church, also known as Surp Stepanos. It is one of the most distinctive churches in Armenia: instead of a sheltered nave, its altar opens directly onto a broad outdoor space, so the congregation gathered in the open air before it. The church is listed as a cultural heritage monument of Armenia.

This unusual "army church" design — the name Zorats relates to soldiers — let large gatherings, including mounted troops, take part in services and blessings out in the open. Built of stone in the medieval Armenian tradition, it remains a rare and memorable example of how architecture served both faith and community.

Why it is worth the detour to Yeghegis

Yeghegis is a rewarding pocket of Vayots Dzor, rich in medieval monuments, and Zorats Church is among its most striking. The open layout makes for unusual photographs and a vivid sense of how worship once filled the surrounding fields.

Few churches turn the whole sky into their nave the way this open altar does.

Weather in the Yeghegis valley can shift quickly, so check the forecast for the nearest point before you go. A clear, calm day is ideal for an open-air monument like this one.