Echmiadzin, Zvartnots Cathedral

Echmiadzin, also known as Vagharshapat, located 18 km (11 mi) west of Yerevan, is the religious capital of Armenia. Echmiadzin hosts many churches the most prominent of which is the Cathedral or Mother Temple as Armenians call it. Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin is the official residence of Armenia's religious leader - Catholicos.

Short History

The first mentionings about Echmiadzin date back to 6th century BC. Back then it was called Kuarlini and was part of Urartu kingdom. During the following centuries, the city has changed owners and names. In various centuries it was ruled by Arabs, Turkic tribes, Mongols, Persians, and Russians. It has been called Artimed, Vardgesavan, Kaynepolis, and Vagharshapat. From 2nd to 4th centuries AD the city has been the capital of Armenia under Arsacid dynasty. Today the town is officially known as Vagharshapat but you are most likely to hear people saying "Echmiadzin" when referring to the town.

The Churches

The Cathedral

The Cathedral

According to a legend, Gregory the Illuminator had a vision about the Christ ascending on a place where the Cathedral eventually was built by Gregory himself and King Tiridates III in 301 - 303 AD. Within the territory of the Cathedral, several notable buildings are located: Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, historical religious monuments, museums, libraries. Together they represent Armenian history, unique relics of Armenian art and literature. Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin is responsible for preserving and passing to forthcoming generations the cultural values created here and the artifacts gifted from around the world. The cathedral is corrently undergoing a renovation but the rest of the sites in the complex are open for visitors.

St Hripsime Church

St Hripsime Church

According to a legend a girl named Hripsime escaped to Armenia from Rome where she was prosecuted by Emperor Diocletian. Together with other Saint Virgins, she started to preach Christianity but soon faced the same fate of the prosecution by Armenian king Tiridates III. A memorial was established in the place where Hripsime and other Saint Virgins died. Later, in the beginning of the 7th century, the church was built. This church has a more refined architecture compared to other medieval Armenian churches. The interior design forms a cross.

St Gayane Church

St Gayane Church

St Gayane church is named after another Saint Virgin who also fell victim of prosecutions. It was built in 630 AD in about 2 km (1.2 mi) distance from St Hripsime church. This church has a simple architectural style developed in the 7th century without many decorations. The church of Odzun shares this architectural style with St Gayane church.

St Shoghakat church

St Shoghakat church is in half a kilometer (0.3 mi) distance from St Hripsime church. It was built to commemorate Saint Virgin-martyr named Marianeh. As in the case of St Hrimipsime church this church is also included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. Today's "domed hall" style has been built in 1694. The name of this church derives from Armenian Shogh (Beam) and Kat (a drop). According to a legend it was built where "a drop of a beam" fell.

St Mary the Mother of God (Astvatsatsin) Church

This church is a small distance away from the Cathedral. It was built in 1767.

Zvartnots Cathedral

Currently partly ruined Zvartnots cathedral was a magnificent building when still standing. It was built in 643 - 652 AD situated 3 km (2 mi) away from Echmiadzin on the Yerevan - Echmiadzin highway. The reason for its collapse is probably an earthquake. It was built to substitute a pagan temple devoted to the God of Writing. You can see the remnants of the pagan temple in the nearby museum. The name derives from ancient Armenian "zvartoun" which means "an angel". A 20th-century Armenian architect reconstructed a model of the original temple which had a round base and 3-level cylindrical "floors" when looking from the outside.