Gars is a city in Western Armenia located on the right shore of the Gars River, a feeder stream of the Akhurian River. Because of its location near the Russian border, it was once under the reign of Russia. Today, Gars is under the reign of Turkey.
In 929, King Abas chose the fortress-city of Gars as the seat of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia. During his reign, King Abas built a cathedral known as the Church of the Holy Apostles.
Ashot III moved the capital from Gars to Ani, and assigned his brother Moushegh as governor of Gars, who became known as the founder of Gars.
During the reign of King Kakig-Abas in the 11th century, the Gospel of Gars dedicated to the king was captured. Today, the Armenian Gospel made of parchment and notable for its beautifully drawn initials is kept in the Church of St. James (St. Hagop) in Jerusalem.
In 1876 many schools were opened in Gars.
The Gars–Gyumri–Tbilisi railway line was disrupted after the closure of the Armenian-Turkish border in 1993.
During the Liberation war, Gars became the home of all the revolution activists where a unique patriotic atmosphere was created to welcome the fighters and the activists.
The Gars Chapter was established in 1933.
The founding board included: Sattenig Yapodjian, Priestess Marie Ajemian, Adrineh Sahaguian, Shake Bakhtayarian, Khanem Yeghyayian, Mairie Avakian, Varsenig Haytossian, and Marie Balyian. And the following members from the Hayashen district: Souren Karakeleyian, Shoushan Karakeleyian, and Marie Vosgertichian.
The chapter operates at the “Azadamard” Center in Achrafieh.
