The Monastery of St. Christopher is located in the Aragatsotn Province, about 2 km southwest of the village of Dashtadem, on the site of the historical settlement of Kaghen. The monastic complex includes the Church of St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), a three-story mausoleum-belltower, the remains of the brotherhood's residential buildings, sections of the wall, and a cemetery, where a vishapakar (dragon stone) dated to the 2nd millennium BC is also found.
The complex's main structure, the Church of St. Astvatsatsin, dates to the 7th century. It is a small centrally-domed church with a cross-shaped plan and three apses. The church has rectangular cross-arms on the exterior, and the transition from the square under the dome to the dome's drum is achieved by means of squinches.
The church's only entrance is on the western side. The design of the entrance is characteristic of 7th-century Armenian church architecture. The structure is built of finely dressed black tuff.
he village of Dashtadem is also home to the Kamsarakans' famous Kaghen Fortress (Dashtadem Fortress). The Dashtadem Fortress, the Monastery of St. Christopher south of it, and the surrounding settlement were described by archaeologist Hovsep Yeghiazaryan during a scientific expedition to Talin.
The period of Zakarian rule was the most eventful period for the entire Dashtadem complex. It is assumed that one of the Zakarian residences in Aragatsotn was located here.
