Tezh Church

Hadrut Province, Togh village

Tezh Church is perched on a cliff, southeast of the Gtich Fort on the summit of Mt. Toghasar. The name of this 9th-century church originates with the Arab wars. When the Arab commander Bugha unsuccessfully laid siege to the Gtich Fort, he ordered the destruction of the Monastery at Gtich.

In response, the Prince of Dizak, Yesayi Abu-Musen, while still battling with the enemy, had a new church constructed within seven days on the top of a high cliff. As the church was constructed in the heat of battle - in Armenian, tezh ('heat') – the church's name symbolizes the strength of spiritual will in the face of battle.