Ani - Church of St Gregory of Tigran Honentz

One of the most interesting of Ani's churches, St Gregory of Tigran Honentz (also called the Sirli Kilise), stands close to the edge of the Arpa Çayi gorge. Founded in 1215 it is another domed, centrally-arranged building, but with a cruciform ground plan, a tall delicately ornamented drum, and twin-aisled narthex to the west. The interior of the narthex, and of the church proper up into the dome, are finely decorated with murals of Byzantine influence, some with Armenian and Georgian inscriptions. Subjects depicted include the annunciation, the nativity and the death of Mary, the conversion of King Tiridates to Christianity by Gregory the Illuminator, and various saints and evangelists. There are also imitations of Sassanid decorative motifs. The exterior is adorned with animal reliefs (on the well preserved south facade) and a corded design on the blind arcading. Sassanid embellishment to the right of the doorway reflects the building's subsequent use as a mosque.