Etchmiadzin

Etchmiadzin is the Vatican of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the place where St Gregory the Illuminator saw a beam of light fall to the earth in a divine vision. And here he built the first Mayr Tachar (Mother Cathedral of Armenia). 

The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is in a city bearing the same name which is the spiritual centre of Armenia. Originally, this is the most ancient sample of Christian Architecture around the world. In 2000 the cathedral was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with St Gayane and St Hripsime churches and the archaeological ruins of Zvartnots. 

Jesus Christ appeared to Gregory the Illuminator in vision and spotted the right place for the cathedral. Afterwards, the construction of the cathedral started. And then we had Etchmiadzin which meant only-begotten. 

The Cathedral is a very significant cultural and historical centre for Armenians and not only. In the territory of the cathedral, there is the Treasury Museum. 

Etchmiadzin Cathedral