Cross-stone is a unique, purely Armenian manifestation of stone art both in form and content. The Armenian man managed to turn the simple, inanimate stone of his stony country into a symbol of beauty, memory, faith and worship. Cross-stone is one of the most common expressions of the Armenian medieval culture and the most characteristic certificate of the creative originality of the Armenian people.

Almost all Armenian spiritual structures are decorated with cross-stones. On the walls of many churches you can see carved images of the cross, which have their own special meaning. The small crosses were depicted in honor of the patrons and benefactors, with whose efforts the church was built or improved. The Armenians created such a great respect and worship around crosses that this symbol made stonemason masters to create these unique masterpieces of art, which, in line with their content, were called cross-stone.

In the Armenian world, there are cross-stones in almost every corner, which are never repeated. The main purpose of cross stone is to create a connection with God. The author of cross-stone uses the Cross of Christ to express his feelings and dreams. "Cross-stones are the best works of Armenian architecture, equal to other architectural buildings" (Rafael Israelyan).

The most basic feature of cross-stone is its general composition - a cross carved on stone slabs of various sizes, surrounded by ornaments. Becoming as a cult phenomenon since the 9th century, cross-stone art reached its heyday in the 12th-13th centuries and has survived to the present day.

Cross-stone is a type of medieval Armenian art, a monument with signs of a cross, a decorative, vertical stone, facing west. It includes the entire Christian idea of ​​the retribution of Jesus Christ. The main part is the cross, as the heavenly spiritual paradise promised by Christ and the sacrament of Salvation. Khachkar is considered an Armenian icon.

The cross as a symbol has appeared since the 4th century. In the 4th-7th centuries, they had very primitive images. After the 7th century, winged cross-stones appeared, very few of which have survived today. After the 8th century, rectangular standing cross-stones types began to appear. And already after the 11th century it was formed as the current well-known concept of the cross-stones, carrying in itself all the geometrical and plant elements. Further it starts to carry figurative sculptures, such as, for example, the images of saints.

Since the 4th century, people have used the cross-stones as a separate monument or have fortified them on the walls of churches. Armenians also used it to immortalize memorable events, particularly military victories and important historical events. Armenians also used it to immortalize memorable events, particularly military victories and important historical events. At the same time, cross-stones were part of churches, monasteries, temples, springs, bridges and other historical structures. They were used in graves as a sign of salvation of a dead person. Important information, chronicles and facts about Armenia were also written on them.    

The first cross-stone was built in 879 in Garni, already including the main signs of the cross-stone. In the Middle Ages, Armenians used red, white, and blue colors, as well as grape vines, as symbols when making cross-stone. Here the red color symbolized the blood of Christ.  

One of the hypotheses of the emergence of cross stones is related to the fact that the people wanted to have more silent testimonies about Christianity. And the installation of crosses has been a very effective means of spreading Christianity.

There are many reasons for erecting cross-stones. There are cross-stones that were erected on the occasion of some victories. There are cross-stones that have been placed on the roads. There are also so-called savior cross-stones.

In the center of the cross-stones composition is the cross, around which the rest of the decorative sculptural composition develops, surprising and delighting the viewer with logic and symmetry, variety of images and incredible elegance. In Armenia it is especially famous the cross-stones of Noradus, Saghmosavank, Noravank, Jugha (Nakhijevan).   

The cross-stone master himself chooses the style and images of the cross-stone. The main raw material of cross-stone is reddish-yellow tuff. First, it is carved the cross, then it is decorated with images of grapes and pomegranates, which are national symbols. The symbol of eternity, which is also one of the spiritual symbols, is often engraved in the lower part of the cross.

Together with the cross, it symbolizes the continuity of life and national ideas about faith. The most unique element of cross-stone composition is its infinity. There are 5 important and sacred points on cross-stones. Four of them correspond to the ends of the wings of the cross and one of them is the point of their intersection. The crossing point was also called source in the Middle Ages, which was the most important point of the cross. The top point is called the crown, which symbolized the kingdom of heaven. The bottom point symbolized the destruction of hell. The right side was associated with the distribution of graces and the left end with the forgiveness of sins.

In the 12th century, a new ornament of the cross-stone, a pomegranate with its branches, appeared. The pomegranate symbolized the ancestors of Armenians - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The cross-stone craft is considered an abstract type of craft, fully containing the sacramental symbol. It has a theological role and purpose.

There are also "Amenaprkich" cross-stones, which are a holy place for the people, where they go to pray for the fulfillment of their cherished dreams, peace and happiness and light a candle.

Many cross-stones have been created in the thousand-year history of Armenian cross-stones. However, only 4 of those cross-stones depict Christ. It is mainly depicted on the cross stones the scenes of Christ's crucifixion and descent from the cross. These cross-stones are just called "Amenprkich". In ancient times, believers were sure that these cross-stones were able to cure various diseases or save from evil, that is why these types of cross-stones acquired a certain meaning.

All "Amenaprkich" cross-stones known in Armenia were created within 12 years. The oldest "Amenaprkich" cross-stones is located in Haghpat and dates back to 1273. According to the inscription on the cross-stone, it was erected by the bishop of the complex. Two of the other "Amenaprkich" cross-stones are located in Etchmiadzin. One of them is carved on wood and was transferred to Etchmiadzin Museum from the Havuts Tar monastery complex. The other, the fourth "Amenaprkich" cross-stones is located in Dsegh village.

The order of placing cross-stones are also very important, the most important aspect of which is their consecration. First, it is consecrated the source of the cross, the center, then the crown, i.e. the upper part of the cross, then the right and left sides and finally the lower part, the trunk. The consecration procedure is carried out with special hymns.

The cross-stones are scattered all over the Armenian highlands, around churches and monasteries, in cemeteries, old settlements, near springs and bridges, in sacred places and not only in Armenia, but also in those places in the world where Armenians have found themselves due to fate.

Over time, Armenians carved and erected about 50 000 cross-stones, although many of them are not standing or complete today. As a result of the enemy attacks, disasters and atrocities, some of them have been destroyed, while the rest is still endangered.

In 2010 the Armenian cross-stone art, craft, symbol was registered in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.