Located south-east of Lake Van, Aghtamar was once an inhabited island.
King Gagik Ardsruni of Vaspuragan had established a settlement on Aghtamar where he had erected a large palace and built the Palatine Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Sourp Katch Yegeghetsi).
The church, which served as the seat of the Catholicosate of Aghtamar from 1116 to 1895, is the only surviving structure from that period (10th century). A true jewel of Armenian architecture, the church walls were decorated by frescos and murals that tell many stories including the complete narration of the story of Adam & Eve.
The Island’s name originates from the expression “Akh, Tamar” (Oh, Tamar) from an old Armenian legend inspired by famous Armenian poet Hovhannes Toumanian and from Rupen Zartarian’s The Lake’s Bride.
The Aghtamar Chapter was established in 1943 in the village of Ainjar.
The founding board included: Araxi Boyajian, Araxi Sherbetchian, Yeva Minassian, Marie Kerkerian, Rebecca Koujanian, Sima Taslakian, Elmast Shemmesian, Haygouhi Malkejian, Manishag Kalousdian, Khatoun Ourfalian, and Sara Kerkezian.
The chapter encompasses a clinic established in 1962.
The Aghtamar Chapter operates at the Filhanessian Center in Ainjar, under the umbrella of the ARF “Garmir Ler” Committee.
