The monastery was named after St Dadi, a disciple of Thaddeus the Apostle, who spread Christianity in the west of Armenia. Dadi died here in the middle of the 1st century, and a church was built atop his grave. The oldest structure of the monastery complex was built in the 4th century, but the monastery itself was completed almost in a thousand years. In the Middle Ages, Dadivank was one of the richest monasteries in Armenia. Along with its book depository and utility rooms, there was also a boarding house. Dadivank is as well famous for its khachkars – it is believed that the patterns of the carvings on the cross-stones were copied from the embroideries of a local noblewoman, the Arzu Khatun, of the Principality of Khachen. One of the churches of the monastery complex was named after her. By the way, though not visible at once, there are well-preserved colorful murals on the inside walls of this church – just give your eyes some time to get used to the darkness.
