The khachkars of the Armenian Church

(Wikipedia) - A khachkar or khatchkar (Armenian: խաչքար, meaning cross-stone) is a cross-bearing carved memorial stele covered with rosettes and botanical motifs, characteristic of Armenian art and found in Armenia. The most common feature is a cross, rarely with a crucifix, with a rosette or sun disc below it. The remainder is usually filled with patterns of leaves, grapes or abstract knotwork patterns. Occasionally it is surmounted by a cornice with biblical or saints' characters.

The most common reason for erecting a khachkar was for votive reasons - for the salvation of the soul of either a living or a deceased person. They were also erected for other reasons, such as to commemorate a military victory, construction of a church, or as a form of protection from natural disasters.

The most common location for a khachkar is in a graveyard. However Armenian gravestones take many other forms, and only a minority are khatchkars.

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