[2] According to Movses Kaghankatvatsi, in the 1st century A.D. St. Elishe, a disciple of Thaddeus of Edessa, arrived to a place called Gis, where he built a church and recited a liturgy.

Karapetian believes that they have identified Gis as the village of Bomen / Bum 60 km to the south-east of Kish, in Gabala district, Uti (Utik) province.

Known at the time as part of Sourb Asvatzatzin Church, Kish turned into a residence of Georgian bishop, functioning till 17th century.

[8] The population of Kish converted to Islam in 1720s; however, when Russia later took possession of the region, some villagers returned to Christian faith.

Also, opposite the temple is a monument to the famous Norwegian archaeologist Thor Heyerdahl, who visited the village during archaeological excavations in 2000.