Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Hripsime Church, Gayane Church. World Heritage Sites
Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the seat of the Catholicos. It is one of the oldest cathedrals in the world, often described as the first church. In 301 Gregory the Illuminator converted Armenia to Christianity and built the Etchmiadzin Cathedral over a pagan temple. According to legends, Gregory had a vision, in which he saw Christ descend to earth and strike the ground with a golden hammer. Etchmiadzin in Armenian means “the Descent of the Only Begotten”.
In 2000 the cathedral was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Etchmiadzin was restored several times during its long time of existence, and that is why it incorporates styles of different periods. In the 19th century, a treasury was added inside the cathedral, which displays the church’s treasured relics, such as the spear that is said to have pierced Jesus’ side and pieces of Noah’s Ark, as well as ritual objects such as jeweled crosses.
Saint Hripsime Church and Saint Gayane Church
According to Agatangelos, a group of Roman christian young women, including Hripsime and Gayane trying to escape from the persecution by the Roman emperor Diocletian fled to Armenia, when the latter hasn’t accepted Christianity yet. The Armenian king Tiridates III fell in love with Hripsime, but she rejected the king. As a punishment the king ordered to torture and kill Hripsime and the others. After Tiridates accepted Christianity, him and Gregory the Illuminator built a church where Hripsime was martyred. Later a church was also built at the place where Gayane was killed.
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