Echmiadzín (Hripsime, Gayane, Sunday Liturgy, Mother Cathedral – from outside, Museum ”Treasures of Echmiadzín”), Zvartnots

This tour takes you to the churches, which are included in the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. The first stops are the churches of Saint Hripsime and Saint Gayane, which are two of the three churches in Echmiadzín, dedicated to Christian women martyrs who escaped from Rome with their abbess Gayane. Next is the Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin, the main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the first Christian cathedral in the world. Currently the Mother Cathedral is under reconstruction and, unfortunately, it can only be seen from the outside. It will also be a visit to the museum «Treasures of Echmiadzin» with a final stop near Zvartnots, the medieval temple of Saint Gregory, built in the 7th century. It was one of the tallest buildings of the time.

Church of Saint Hripsime, Church of Saint Gayane, Mother Cathedral of Saint Echmiadzin, «Treasures of Echmiadzin», Zvartnots Temple

1. Church of Saint Hripsime

The other picturesque building in Echmiadzín is the Church of Saint Hripsime. That is the developed and perfect example of the cross-dome churches of Armenia. The church attracts with the simplicity and majesty of its architecture. The tomb of the Virgin Hripsime is in the cemetery of the church. The site is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

2. Church of Saint Gayane

Not far from the temple at the bottom of the top of the mount…

3. Mother Cathedral of Saint Echmiadzin

The religious center of Armenia is the city Echmiadzín…

4. ”Treasures of Echmiadzin”

The museum «Treasures of Echmiadzin» is located in the…

5. Zvartnots Temple

This marvelous temple is the result of skill and…