Holy Church of Tatev
The Armenian word “ta tev” means “Give wings.” After finishing the monastery, the master supposedly stood on the brink of the gorge, crossed himself, and prayed, “Lights, Surb, ta tev” (May the Holy Spirit send down wings).
After which he stepped into the abyss, but did not crash, but soared upward, as if invisible wings had actually grown behind his back.
Impressed by what he saw, the monastery was given the name “giving wings.”
Tatev Monastery was an important medieval Armenian spiritual center since its foundation in the 9th century.
Numerous outbuildings, including a massive university serving the entire South Caucasus region, as well as monastic schools, were located on its grounds in the past.