Religion is a very important part of people's lives in the town of Gavar. The majority of people in Gavar follow Christianity and belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church, which has existed in Armenia for over 1,700 years. In the center of Gavar, the church was built in 1903 and was the tallest church in Armenia until recent times when newer churches were built. Four kilometers from Gavar is Noradus which is an impressive khachkar (stone cross) cemetery.
Hayravank is also very close which dates to the 9th century and has a storied history. In the rocks to the north side of the church, one can find ruins dating back a thousand years and a cave which has remains removed from it which dated back five thousand years. In the villages of Gavar, one can find similarly old churches and in the village of Gegharkunik, 14 kilometers from Gavar one can the remains of a fortress dating back 1100 years.
Hayr Mer - The Lord's Prayer
Hayr mer, vor yerkins es,
sourb yeghitsi anun qo:
Yekestse arqayutyun qo,
yeghitsin kamq qo
vorpes yerkins yev yerkri.
Z'hats mer hanapazord
tour mez aysor,
yev togh mez zpartis mer,
vorpes yev meq toghoumq
merots partapanats.
Yev mi tanir zmez i pordzoutyun
ayl prkea zmez i charen.
Zi qo e arqayutyun
ev zorutyun
ev parq
haviteans
havitenits,
Amen
