Jeep Tour: Dilijan – Fioletovo – Margahovit – Mount Tezhler – Meghradzor – Tejharuyk Monastery

Just 15 km from Dilijan, on the Aghstev River, lies the small village of Fioletovo, home to Armenia’s Molokan community. Around 1,800 people live here, all Molokans – a small Russian Christian community. The village was founded in 1820 by settlers from the Tambov region (Morshansk). Until 1939 it was called Nikitino, after which it was renamed Fioletovo in honour of Ivan Fioletov, a Baku commissar.

Molokans are spiritual Christians who interpret the Bible in a symbolic way. They reject church hierarchy, icons, and the image of the cross.

Their name comes from the word “milk,” as they allowed themselves to drink milk on fasting days, against church rules. To this day, the Molokans preserve their identity and traditions.

Mount Tezhler is the highest peak of the Pambak range, rising to 3,101 metres. It lies between the Kotayk and Lori regions, offering wonderful views of the Tsakhkunyats and Pambak ridges. On clear days, you can even see Mount Aragats in the distance.

The name of the mountain comes from the reddish glow it takes on at sunset, as if it were burning with heat. Its slopes are gentle and covered with alpine meadows, creating a calm and scenic landscape. The mountain is also notable for its deposits of nepheline syenite, a type of rock used as a raw material in aluminium production.

Tejharuyk Monastery, located opposite the village of Meghradzor, was built between 1196 and 1199. It is remarkable for having many different names, which has often caused confusion. The monastery is also known as Taicharukh, Gyurjikilisa Church (Georgian Monastery), Tukh-Manuk, Rntamali Church and Pghndzavank (Copper Monastery). Of these, the most authentic name is considered to be Tejharuyk.

The church is built of grey basalt. The name Tejharuyk comes from the words tej (hot) and aru (stream, river), as the monastery stands beside a fast-flowing section of river.

Another special feature of Tejharuyk is that its walls are covered not with Armenian, but with old Georgian inscriptions, which is highly unusual for Armenian architecture. This reflects the strong Georgian influence in Armenia at the end of the 12th century. Although the Georgians attempted to spread their faith — Chalcedonian Christianity — the Armenians managed to preserve their Apostolic Church. Today, the monastery remains a monument to medieval history and architecture.

(Price per vehicle, regardless of group size)

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