Etchmiadzin Cathedral - Transfer & Transportation Guides

Cultural heritage monument of Armenia

Etchmiadzin Cathedral (Armenian: Էջմիածնի մայր տաճար, Ēǰmiatsni Mayr tačar) is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the city vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. According to most scientists was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia, and is often considered the oldest cathedral in the world.The original church was built in the early fourth century-between 301 and 303 according to the tradition-Armenia patron saint Gregory Illuminator, after the adoption of Christianity as state religion by king Tiridates III. It was built over a pagan temple, which symbolizes the transition from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built 483/4 of Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was badly damaged in a Persian invasion. From its inception until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the Supreme Head of the Armenian Church. While never losing its importance, the Cathedral then suffered centuries of virtual neglect. In 1441 it was restored as catholicosate and remains as such today. Since then, Mother See Holy Etchmiadzin is the administrative headquarters of the Armenian Church. Etchmiadzin sacked by Shah Abbas the Great in 1604, when the relics and stones were taken out of the cathedral to New Julfa in an attempt to undermine the Armenians concerning their country. Since then, the cathedral has undergone several renovations. Clock Tower added in the latter half of the seventeenth century and in 1868 a sakristia built in the east end of the cathedral. Today it contains range of different periods of Armenian architecture. Reduced during the early Soviet period, Etchmiadzin revived again in the second half of the twentieth century, and independent Armenia.As the main shrine Armenian Christians worldwide, has Etchmiadzin been an important place in Armenia not only religiously but also politically and culturally. A major pilgrimage site, is one of the most visited sites in the country. Along with several important early medieval churches located nearby, the cathedral was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. .... Learn more at Wikipedia