23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Blessing at Tatev Monastery

Inside the ancient Tatev Monastery in southern Armenia, a priest gently places his hand on a woman’s head during a blessing. The dim light, the scent of wax, and the sound of whispered prayers reveal a moment of profound faith. An encounter between past and present that transcends language and time.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Armenia
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Marcello Perino