[4] The epithet "Mets" (Armenian: large) was given to this monastery in order to distinguish it from the other St. Astvatsatsin Church in Yukhari Aylis.
[1] The church of Mets Astvatsatsin was part of a large architectural complex that included a porch, a guesthouse, and ten to twelve other buildings that were all at one time surrounded with a high outer wall.
After investigating this complex and its vicinity, Argam Ayvazyan concludes that this location had been the site of an ancient pagan temple.
According to the traditions of the natives of Agulis, the Apostle Thaddeus destroyed the idols of the pagan gods and founded a church.
During the ensuing centuries statuettes of gods made out of clay and metal were frequently discovered there, especially when renovations were in progress, according to the testimony of eyewitnesses.