Among all monuments of Artsakh, monastery of Amaras has special place, because of its role in spreading of Christianity in Artsakh ant Utica. In the subsequent centuries monastery remained one of the notorious foci of the spiritual and cultural life of the region.

One of the branching of plain is stretched along the river bed of river Amaras to the low mountains of Khazaz and Lusavorich, in the center of which is located monastery of Amaras. According to the Armenian sources Gregory Enlightener substantiated the Church Amaras, the building of which was completed by his grandson bishop Gregoris by the beginning of the IV century. At the end of the year 430 the monastery was already diocesan center and it stayed as a diocesan center by the end of XIX century.

In V century, probably during the times of king Vardan (year of 451) the monastery Amaras was destroyed. This was not the last role of Persian Magicians, who could not allow the blaze of the furnace of Christianity. At the end the same century the cathedral was completely restored by king Vachagan. It is known that Mesrop Mashtots began the teaching of Armenian written language in eastern Armenia from Amaras, and naturally here was founded the first Armenian school.

The rout of enlightenment of Mesrop in Artsakh Mashtots historian Leo represents as follows: “In the Eastern region of his rout we see the famous sanctuary Alunka-Amaras, where is the grave of martyr Grigoris, the grandson of Grigor Enlightener. From here the rout led to the sanctuary of Dizapajt…It was the southern end point. From the Dizapajt through healer Panalio’s sanctuary the road turned to West to monastery of the Metsarants (presently Khachen), where Mashtots and his students started their activities.

In the beginning of the Arab invasions the monastery was again ruined and restored in IX century by the king of Disakh Esai Abu Muse.

In 1223 Mongol-Tatarian hordes robbed and took away the treasures of Amaras. Among which where preserved from IV century crosier of Gregoris and golden cross decorated with 36 precious stones. According to Stepanos Orbelian, at the proposal of Greek Princess Despin (wife of Mongolian military leader) the cross and the crosier were sent to Constantianapol.

After one and half century, around 1287, Amaras, similar to other ten monasteries of Artsakh became a victim of raids of the hordes of Lenk-Temur. According to the legend Temur ordered to line up his army from Amaras to the river Araks for transferring the stones of the destroyed construction to through them into the river. But as soon as conquerors left the region the monastery was raised to its previous sublimity.

Amaras blooms the second time in the second half of XVI century. The entire complex was again well organized with the efforts of bishop Petross. At this time in the village of Kherkher was built the summer residence of bishop.

During the first period of realm of knight Khamsa, Amaras was even more greatly improved and it became one of the most important sacred holly places for the knights of Varanda. In XVIII century the knight Varanda Shahnazar II restored the buildings of the monastery and built a fence around it. He added to the complex many new rooms, cells and sepulchral plates. The last time the monastery was restored last time in with the assistance of people of Shushi. During this reconstruction the significant part of the ancient inscriptions were destroyed.

On the ancient cemetery of the village of Machkalashen, not far from Amaras was found khachqar, which is unique sample of medieval thread on the stone. Khachqar was installed in 1091. Here is inscribed the name of the master Ghazar. Inscription on the khachqar states:” Armenian Summer of 540(1091), Me, the monk Abraham erected this cross. Remember me in your prayers. I, Ghazar, composed this cross. Mention me in your prayers to Lord Jesus Christ”

The name of the master of thread on the stones of the Valley of Amaras remained unknown for a long time. Because of this finding to the list of medieval Armenian architects was added one more name –Ghazar.

Of a greater interest is the martirium of a martyr of saint Grigoris, located under the altar of the present church. The tomb is build from stones obtained from the pit of Khazaz mountain. It is rectangular room with entrances from south and west (the western entrance is now sealed). The wall opposite to the stairs, which leads to the southern entrance is decorated with geometric and vegetable ornaments typical for Armenian decorative style of the early middle ages.

The epitaph of Saint Gregoris is located in the tomb, which is considered to be the main sacristy of monastery .On the plate is incraved Episcopal crown, crosier and a cross and there is a inscription:” Tomb of holly Gregoris, the catholicos of Aluanka, grandson of Partev Grigor Enlightener. He was born in the Summer of 332, smeared in 340, he was devoted to myrith death in the Summer of 348 in Derbent by the king Sanesanom of Maskuts, holy power (his) was brought into Amarasby its wards –deacons of Artsakh.

The tomb of Saint Gregoris with its composition is analogous to the tomb of Mesrop Mashtots, which is in Oshakan-buit in the years of 442-443 by prince Vahan Amatuni.

The present church of Amaras is built from white felisite. The church has composition of three-Nefnoy basilica. The Chapel by two pairs of cross-shaped columns is divided into three naves with arched overlaps. Along both sides of apse are attached rectangular in the layout borders of arches. The depth of the later reaches to 5 meters, which is caused by the presence of tomb of Saint Gregoris in burial vault under the altar.

The only entrance to the church is from the western side, chapel is well illuminated by the three high and wide windows placed within the walls. The six-column rotunda of small belfry rises above the two-slope surface roof. It is interesting to note that the last reconstruction had three analogous dom-like belfries. The largest of them was placed in the center of the roof, and remaining on the eastern and western sides.

The decoration of the interior and the exterior is sufficiently modest. Only western façade is with portal. The timbel of portal and comparatively higher placed small window aperture is framed by the large relief cover plate, which under the pediment is joined in a cross. Remaining walls are almost deprived of décor.

The complex is encircled by rectangular fence with towers on four corners.

Along the entire perimeter of the walls auxiliary compartments are built. The entire court on the eastern side of the church is divided into two parts. In the center of large western part located the main monument-the church of Saint Gregoris.

The entrance of all rooms facing to the direction of the church. In the southern wing is placed refectory and the beautiful two-story building of the director of monastery. Small eastern cavity had only economic value. The only entrance into the monastery is from the southern side to the small yard.