Mastara

For the town in Armavir province, see Dalarik
Mastara
Մաստարա

Street in the village of Mastara.
Mastara
Մաստարա
Coordinates: 40°26′53″N 43°52′54″E / 40.44806°N 43.88167°E / 40.44806; 43.88167Coordinates: 40°26′53″N 43°52′54″E / 40.44806°N 43.88167°E / 40.44806; 43.88167
Country Armenia
Marz (Province) Aragatsotn
Area
 • Total 2.42 km2 (0.93 sq mi)
Elevation 1,745 m (5,725 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 2,571
 • Density 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
Time zone GMT+4 (UTC+4)
Postal code 0511

Mastara (Armenian: Մաստարա) is a village in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. The 5th-century Armenian Church of S. Hovhannes is situated in the northeastern half of the village, while the church of S. Stepanos Nakhava sits on a hilltop to the north. There is also the small medieval Tukh Manuk Church in the village to the southeast.[1]

Etymology

The name Mastara is thought to be derived from the words mas, meaning "a piece", and tara, "I buried/took". This comes from the popular legend that Gregory the Illuminator brought back relics of John the Baptist from Caesaria, a fragment of which he enshrined beneath the Church of S. Hovhannes.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Kiesling, Brady; Kojian, Raffi (2005). Rediscovering Armenia: Guide (2nd ed.). Yerevan: Matit Graphic Design Studio. p. 49. ISBN 99941-0-121-8.
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