Standing against the upper part of the village of Dzoragyugh, and facing the old Erivan Fortress on the left bank of the River Hrazdan, a hermitage-monastery was functioning since the earliest Christian era.

Saint Sarkis Church, with the hermitage-monastery, was destroyed by the large earthquake of 1679 but was rebuilt on the same site during the rule of Edesatsi Nahabet Catholicos (1691–1705).

[1] During the rule of Vazgen I Catholicos of Armenians, the church underwent basic renovations and improvements.

The face was covered with Ani orange tufa rocks and engraved with triangular niches.

After Israyelian's death, the construction works were taken over and continued by the co-author, architect Ardzroun Galikian.