Sanahin is victim to rain and indifference
Sokhak Simonyan from the Sanahin monastery complex says that there are fewer tourists visiting the monastery this year and the main visitors are from Armenia.
"Visitors are admired by the architecture of the monastery complex and are sad to see that the complex needs to be preserved," says the monk who is afraid when it starts to rain.
"There is not one corner to stand away from the rain. The rain falls in through the windows and water flows through walls. The roof leaks if rain falls for two days."
The results of the rain can especially be seen at the St. Savior and St. Virgin churches of the monastery complex.
"Visitors are afraid to get wet and don't stay here long," says Sokhak Simonyan. But he is not only concerned about the rain, but the many trees that have grown on the walls of the churches and the roofs. As a result, many rocks have fallen off from the walls. Simonyan says that he can't solve the issue on his own.
"If I were to do it on my own, I would go up there and clean it, but I can't."
Besides seeing the churches renovated, Sokhak Simonyan hopes that there will be priests here one day as well.
The Sanahin monastery complex was built in the 10-13th centuries.
