The exact year of the construction of the church is unknown because of the lack of historical data.

Considering that the grave stone of Priest Astvasatur is dated 1869 and found on the left side of the entrance, it can be supposed that the church was erect in  that year, but taking into consideration its geographical location, it has a longer history.

After the archaeological excavations in the south-western side of the church it was proved that the Elar-Darani castle belonging to the Urartu period and had once reached military economic heights, was located in that area.

Historical source ceased to be so rare in 1851 when the church underwent reconstruction and then in 1864 the belfry was built thanks to the donations of Simeon Aghamalyants.

Being situated on the cross–road of the Yerevan-Sevan and Yerevan-Garni roads the nearby buildings of the church served as refuge.

Now the church is functioning. It is the only church in Armenia called St. Stepanos.

Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened today a roundtable discussion on “The Challenges of Culture and Value System in Armenia.” As part of the forum, the Center released the results of its specialized opinion survey, entitled “Value and Ideology Benchmarks: Imperatives and Alternatives,” which involved more than 50 experts from Yerevan and across Armenia.

ACNIS director of administration Karapet Kalenchian greeted the invited guests and public participants with opening remarks. “These deliberations on culture, together with the expert survey preceding them, aim to present one focus group’s professional perceptions of ideology guideposts which are characteristic of a transitional period, as well as the true role and place of our system of values and patterns of cultural development,” he said.

Stones has been the unseparatable part of the Armanians. They have erected centuries by stones, engraved their history that has passed. This is the Armenian’s typical image.

“Song about stone” literary-musical matine´e which was devoted to the 90 anniversary of Hamo Sahyan was organized by the employees of the museum of Armenian-Russian people’s relationship and was held on July 16, at 15⁰⁰. Hamo Sahyan has been and remains “the translator of stones” who has transferred the history of Armenian nation to us. He used to say” I wish I were sitting on the stone and telling about my life that passed”. Armenian genius have assigned the power and yearn of our mother-land and the wealth of our stony land. Every country knows that cross- stone is the symbol of Armenia.

“Wherever I look, I see stony mountains, stony trumpets, stony drums, stony-crosses and a range of stones”.

We have protected ourselves with stones

We have took shelter behind the rocks

We have built temples, churches, castles and fortresses, bridges and stony other building.

They are as fort as the will as the Armenians. The Armenian nation has been born in the stones, has played with stones, has built such stony building as Tatev, Noravanq, Echmiatsin etc.

And it is not contingent that more than 24 ancient obelisks of the world are in Armenia. And it is not accidental that they have been transformed with the shape of inscription left on the stones.

It is worthy to mention King Argishti who founded Erebuni in 782 a.d.

My dear reader you can tell with pride that Armenian stones are painted with 7 colors of rain-bow. Yes we are strong, we have tough, we are made of stones and we will exist from centuries to centuries wherever we are.  

During this lively pagan festivity in July, when the heat of the sun scorches vegetation, people splash water on each other. Water is thrown by the bucketful on anyone: no matter the age, gender, or public position.  Even submissive and quiet brides would throw water on their mothers-in-law!  Nobody is offended or angered by this: it is the accepted way to celebrate the ancient Armenian tradition of Vardavar. 

The word “vardavar” has two interpretations based on which of two pagan goddesses were worshipped: Astgheek or Anaheet. 

Astgheek (the Armenian equivalent of Greece’s Aphrodite) was the goddess of love and beauty.  Since “vard” means “rose” in Armenian, a correlation was made between this holiday and Astgheek. According to legend, her beloved Vahagn (another Armenian pagan god) was once injured in a struggle with evil. She rushed barefoot to his aid. On the way, she hurt her feet while treading over the roses and her blood turned them red. This is how red roses came into being: the flower of love was born. She had her temple, where young and old alike would go on pilgrimage to praise her, sing songs, and offer bouquets of flowers and other gifts.