Privat Tour.Etchmiadzin cathedral , Zvartnots temple

Itinerary
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Stop At: The Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots, Manushyan St, Vagharshapat Armenia

Etchmiadzin Cathedral

Etchmiadzin Cathedral has always been in the core of the Armenian and foreign architects’ and scientists’ research. This historical, spiritual and architectural place is not only a church, but also a unique museum for researchers. Etchmiadzin Cathedral, likewise other Christian churches, was established in the location of a pagan temple. According to Armenian church tradition, the cathedral was built between 301 and 303. According to History of the Armenians by Agathangelos, Armenias patron saint Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of Jesus Christ descending from heaven and striking the earth with a golden hammer to show where the cathedral should be built. Hence, the patriarch gave the church the name of Etchmiadzin which translates to "the Descent of the Only-Begotten (Son of God)."

The Treasury Museum

The museum is home to rare items such as church accessories with historical and artistic value, gold and pearl dresses, crosses and cathedral rocks, numerous ritual items made of gold, silver and ivory decorated with delicate and precious stones. Here you can see rare, ancient coins and ancient manuscripts. The catholic chairs of the 17th-century are particularly remarkable, decorated with peppermint and ivory, with lions head and scarf.

The museum also features unique sacred relics as well as St. Geghard, the spear by which the centurion Longinus pierced Jesus Christ or the Ark of Noah.

St. Hripsime

Saint Hripsime Church is one of the oldest churches in Armenia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is located in Echmiadzin. According to legend, the girl named Hripsime, escaped to Armenia from Roman emperor Diocletian for her Christian beliefs. Here, Armenian king Trdat lll fell in love with her beauty and wanted to marry her. As the king was rejected commanded to kill her. After the adoption of Christianity in the place where she was killed a church was built. St. Hripsime church in Etchmiadzin is considered a masterpiece of early Christian Armenian architecture.

St. Gayane

The Church of St. Gayane was built in the 7th century. It is domed-basilica in style. Gayane came to Armenia with 38 nuns including Hripsime .The legend says the church was built over the tomb of Virgin Gayane who was killed for preaching Christianity.

Zvartnots temple

Zvartnots Cathedral is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type Armenian cathedral built by the order of Catholicos Nerses the Builder from 643-652. Now in ruins, it is located at the edge of the city of Vagharshapat in Armavir Province of Armenia. It is said that the cathedral was built on the post where Grigir Lusavorich met Trdat, initiating the king’s conversion and leading to Armenia adopting Christianity as the state religion. The cathedral’s unique construction was an engineering marvel. Many legends are connected to the monument. One legend relates how the Byzantine Roman Emperor Cosas II, attending the temple, impressed by its design, hired the master architect to built a similar church in Constantinople.

Duration: 2 hours