The Diocese of Arsharunik is one of the oldest dioceses in Armenia, formed by St. Gregory the Illuminator in the second diocesan department. In the middle of the 4th century, during the reign of Catholicos St. Nerses the Great, it was annexed to the bishopric of Bagrevand. It became the main episcopate of the country when Catholicos St. Sahak Partev returning from Persia in 432 AD, settled in the province of Bagrevand. The famous bishops of Bagrevand during this period were the 5th century philosopher Yeznik Koghbatsi and the patriarch of the Armenian historiography Movses Khorenatsi.

Keywordsbishopric Catholicos throne spiritual center diocese inscription cathedral commemorative inscription historiographic theological.

In the result of the conducted research, we added the sixth branch to the five ones of the ruling royal princes of Syunik – branch of princes of the province of Arevik. The basis for this was the inscription on the khachkar installed in the southern corner of the eastern wall of the Church of St. Stepanos in the village of Vank restored in 1554, Meghri region. This inscription, dated 902, mentions “Lord Smbat”. According to the research and purchase contracts of the Tatev Monastery for the period from 839 to 891, the title of “Lord” was borne by diocesan bishops and throne princes. The same Smbat is mentioned on the khachkar, dated 911, which was erected in the rural area of Lichkvaz in the region of Meghri.

Keywords Syunik Arevik Meghri throne prince church khachkar inscription