On the southern side of Mount Ara there is a cave shrine dedicated to St. Barbara. It is one of the popular sites of pilgrimage. 2 legends are connected with the monastery. According to the first one, Saint Barbara hid inside the caves of Mount Ara, trying to escape from her cruel father, who wished to kill her for espousing Christianity. Before getting martyred, Barbara asked God from then on to cure children from smallpox and measles diseases in Her name, and so God granted Her wish. The second legend has it that a tyrannical prince tried to seize the beautiful girl named Tsaghik ("flower", translated from Armenian) against her will. She ran away from him and hid in the caves of Mount Ara. In the end, loosing any hope to get saved, Tsaghik climbed the cliffs and jumped off. It is believed that the water which at present flows from the very top of the cave, stands for the tears of the martyred Virgin and has a healing power.
