Hidden in the Aragatsotn Mountains, the Ghazaravan Monastery may seem like an ordinary monastery complex at first glance. Yet life here is completely different from the world we know.
The nuns living here have renounced worldly life, choosing the path of prayer, obedience, and silence.
The day at the monastery begins with early morning prayer. Then the eight nuns go about their daily duties—taking care of the monastery, working, and continuing their spiritual ministry.
All of this is done quietly, without unnecessary fuss.
The most intriguing question that often arises is: why?
What drives a woman to leave her family, a potential career, and the comforts of everyday life, choosing a path with strict rules?
Sister Shushanik, one of the monastery’s oldest residents who has lived here since 2018, says the decision was not made in a single day:
“I received a Christian upbringing, and the Lord’s self-sacrifice left a deep mark on me. I realized that no good deed can be done without self-sacrifice. After graduation, I considered working in a nursing home or an orphanage. But after experiencing the sacrament of the Holy Liturgy, I made the final decision to become a nun.”
Sister Shushanik notes that relatives are welcome to visit, though they try to go home less and less, as frequent visits are discouraged. Hesitation, she says, never crossed her mind.
The mother superior of the monastery, Mother Elizabeth, emphasizes that obedience is the nuns’ top priority.
When asked who can join the monastery, she explains: “Any believing woman between the ages of 18 and 50 who feels called to dedicate herself to God. She must be certain she can endure this life. The first priority here is obedience, which is the most challenging part.”
Mother Elizabeth adds that nuns are free to return to secular life, as no formal vow has been taken before God.
“There is no prohibition, but leaving would be painful. Those who truly love God will stay,” she says, adding that this does not concern her personally, as she has made a vow before God.
Sister Anahit, considered the youngest by monastery seniority, has four grandchildren.
“The monastery has always been in my heart, but even after starting a family, I never thought I could fulfill this dream. There was a moment when I felt overwhelmed by the world and decided to come here. At first, my relatives thought I had some sort of crisis, but that’s not the case at all,” she recalls.
She emphasizes that the monastery is not a renunciation, but a discovery. “Many think we’ve given up something, but in reality, we find peace here.”
The women who have chosen monastic life say that, though they are far from worldly pleasures, their lives are fuller and happier in God. Spiritual ministers from the Aragatsotn Diocese guide the sisters daily and perform services at the St. Narek Church next to the monastery, with the Holy Liturgy celebrated every Sunday.
Beyond the liturgy, the sisters perform various duties: sewing, candle-making, tending to animals, gardening, and helping local children with schoolwork.
Life in the monastery is simple and strictly structured, yet the nuns assure that time flows differently here.
The silence, which may initially feel heavy, has become a source of inner peace.
Leaving the monastery, the world may appear unchanged. But one thing becomes clear: these women, through their chosen path, strive to preserve what is often lost in modern life’s noise – faith, patience, and inner peace.
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