Note 10 — Chapter V · FROM VAN TO BITLIS
Reading edition
In the geography ascribed to Vardan, a work of the thirteenth century (translated by Saint Martin, Mémoires sur l’Arménie, vol. ii. p. 429), it is said of Akhtamar: “On y trouve l’admirable monastère de la croix bâti par Kagig, roi des Ardzrouniens.” According to Chamchean, quoted by Saint Martin (op. cit. vol. i. p. 140), the monastery was founded in A.D. 653 by a prince of the Reshtuni family, named Theodore.
We are informed by Thomas Artsruni (ninth century) that King Gagik brought the stone for building this church all the way from the province of Aghznikh, extending to the Tigris and now comprised within the vilayet of Diarbekr. ↑