Did You KnowThat…?
The Saint Jacob (Hagob) Monastery was founded on the north-eastern slope of Mount Ararat, not far from a fresh water spring. In the past, the water spring was dedicated to the Goddess Anahit and the monastery was called Anahit Monastery (Anahitavank). Armenians believed in the healing properties of the water spring and sprinkled the fields with the water to protect it from locusts. The monastery and the neighboring village of Akor were destroyed during the earthquake of 1840. The rift that formed on the north-eastern slope, called the Masis Abyss, stretches 10 km from peak to base and has a depth of 1000 m at the peak. According to Moses of Chorene (5th century AD), the abyss formed due to a devastating earthquake in 139 AD. Earthquakes have reoccurred in 1319, 1679, 1840, and 1887. According to ancient folklore, the dreadful King Artavazd is trapped in the abyss and with each earthquake attempts to break free and rule the world.
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