Echmiadzin is the world’s first Christian cathedral and is regarded as the spiritual center of all Armenians. The very name Echmiadzin means “the place where the Only-Begotten Son of God descended.”
During the tour, you will visit Saint Hripsime Church, built over the grave of the virgin martyr Hripsime, who fled from the Roman emperor and was killed in Armenia. This remarkable church has stood since its construction in 618 AD, making it one of the oldest surviving churches in the world. Just five minutes away lies Saint Gayane Church, dating back to the 7th century, dedicated to Hripsime’s abbess, who shared her tragic fate.
You will also explore the Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin, the first Christian cathedral in the world, built between 301–304 AD. According to tradition, Jesus Christ descended from heaven and indicated the site where the church should be built. Inside, there is a small museum housing sacred relics, including pieces of the Holy Cross, Noah’s Ark, and the spear that pierced Christ.
The tour concludes with a visit to the magnificent Zvartnots Cathedral, a 7th-century masterpiece and, like the other sites on this journey, a UNESCO World Heritage monument.
