Քառասնից Մանկանց վանք, Medieval monastery in Dsegh, Armenia

Qarasnits Mankants Monastery is a ruined 13th-century Armenian complex on the steep right slope of the Debed gorge at a spot called Takhtar, northwest of Dsegh. Its main structure is a rectangular domed hall church (11 x 8 m) whose dome and most of its barrel vault have collapsed; the walls, vaults and dome arches stand half-ruined. The two-storey apses end in semicircular niches, and the single west entrance had a richly carved frame.

The church was completed between 1241 and 1256: the south sacristy was built by a donor named Davit in 1241, and in 1256 Hamazasp, abbot of Haghpat, consecrated the church and gave it to the people of Dsegh at the wish of Ghevorg vardapet. A now-lost gavit was built by Khachatur, whose inscription survives. The complex was later ruined; only fragments of the church, gavit and cells remain.

The name recalls the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, soldiers of Licinius's imperial regiment who refused to renounce their faith and were left on a frozen lake; Armenian tradition calls them K'arasnits Mankunk, where mankuk means youth or soldier. Catholicos Sahak Partev placed their feast in the first Armenian calendar, and in the 470s or early 480s Hovhan Mandakuni moved it to the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of Lent, making it a movable feast. Churches of the same name stood in Sebastia, Kharberd, Dersim and Karin, and near Oshakan as Mankanots Surb Sion.

The site is accessible by road from Dsegh village and features parking areas with walking paths leading to the entrance. Visitors should wear appropriate clothing for a religious site and be prepared for varying ground conditions.

The monastery's name recalls the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, soldiers of the imperial regiment under Licinius who refused to renounce their faith and were thrown into a frozen lake in winter. Armenian tradition placed their feast on the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of Lent.