It is located atop a plateau overlooking the Arpa River and the village of Areni in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia.

High-relief carvings of mythical creatures adorn each of the four stone panels between the pendentives and base of the drum.

A semi-circular apse is located at the eastern wall of the structure and small "studies" or prayer rooms are adjacent on either side.

The arched window above the apse is divided by a single column for decorative and structural purposes.

Nearby are also the 13th century ruins of lord Tarsaitch Orbelian of Syunik's palace, moved from Yeghegis to Areni during that time.