The Areni Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church is located in Vayots Dzor province, about half a kilometer north of the village of Areni.
The year of the church's construction is known from the inscription at the western entrance. It was built in 1321, commissioned by Hovhannes Orbelian, Archbishop of Syunik, with Momik as its architect and sculptor.
The church belongs to the group of centrally-domed, cross-shaped structures. Its exterior architectural design is relatively restrained. Best known is the relief on the lintel of the western entrance, depicting the Mother of God with the Christ Child in her arms, seated on a decorated throne.
Inside the church, on the pendentives of the domed section, the relief images of the symbols of the four Evangelists have survived.
The church was damaged by the 1840 earthquake, which caused the dome to collapse. In 1967–1972 the walls and roof were repaired, and in 1998 the dome was restored, brought as close as possible to its original appearance.
Around the church, 14th–17th-century khachkars and tombstones have survived. In the adjoining area, the ruins of Tarsayij Orbelian's palace are also recorded.
