The Church of the Holy Mother of God of Bjni was founded in 1031 AD by the order of Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni and is situated in the Bjni village of Kotayk region. By the suggestion of Catholicos Petros Getadardz, an episcopal see was established here. The territory of the new diocese expanded from Lake Sevan to Akhuryan river and from Gugark to Bjni.