The Armenian Varagavank Monastic Complex in Van is on the Verge of Destruction

The Armenian Varagavank Monastic Complex in the Bakrçaklı village of the İpekyolu district in Turkey's Van province is on the verge of destruction, as reported by Ermenihaber.

It is noted that most of the church buildings in Varagavank no longer exist. What remains are only the walls and stones. Only one church has been partially preserved, which is also on the brink of collapse. According to the Turkish source, the church is currently under the care of a 63-year-old Kurdish shepherd living in the village.

It has been highlighted that the monastic complex has never been restored under the authority of any government and has been abandoned by the state. In Van alone, there are more than 100 churches, but only the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar Island and the Holy Mother of God Church in Edremit (Artamet) have been renovated.

It should be mentioned that Varagavank was constructed in the 7th century in the historical province of Vaspurakan, on the southwestern part of Van city, on the western slope of Mount Varaga. It was formerly the residence of the Archbishop of Van.