This gift of a stone carved cross has an inscription at the bottom indicating its creation in 1216 CE. by Hesmkan and Paper.

The Basalt Cross, or Khatchkar, is a recognizable Armenian cultural symbol. This 13th century original carving is from The Monastery of Geghard, an Armenian medieval religious center on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The carved symbols represent Christ’s crucifixion. At the center is the prominent cross for Christ. At the bottom, the cross rests upon a pedestal representing the Hill of Golgotha in Jerusalem, where the Biblical event took place. The two crosses under the horizonal arms are the two bandits crucified with him. The stone is covered with filigree carvings and fine lace patterns, which express mastery over the cut stone. This ornamental expression has perpetual motion and conveys the idea of perpetuation and continuation.  

In 2010, UNESCO declared the Khatchkar a world cultural heritage stele which are to be protected and safeguarded. 

This gift of a Khatchkar was presented to the UN by the Permanent Representative of Armenia, Ambassador Alexander Arzoumanian, and Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali accepted it on behalf of the United Nations on 12 April 1995. 

After a short external exhibit in 2015, the cross was returned and blessed by the Primates of the Armenian Church of America, Archbishop Khazhak Barsamian and Archbishop Oshakan Choloyan. The rededication was attended by Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who called the ceremony a celebration of the return of a magnificent symbol of medieval history and culture back to the UN Headquarters.