St Gayane

Another marvel of Holy Etchmiadzin is the Church of St Gayane. It is located not far from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Catholicos Ezra gave the order to build the church in 630 AD. The place for the church was not a random choice. In this very place still in the 4th century, there was a chapel atop the relics of Gayane, the abbess of Christian virgins and other Nuns martyred by the order of Armenian King Trdat. Thus, the church is now standing right on the top of this chapel.

Besides, the construction is amazing from the architectural point of view. St Gayane is one of the unique churches which used to be a basilica later changed into a domed construction. Saint Gayane Church, like other churches in the territory of Etchmiadzin, is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

But all these details seem meaningless when you are there. The special spiritual energy, the surrounding beautiful garden, the wind, and the flowers will take you into another reality where nothing but this spirituality will matter.  

St Gayane Church: a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Holy Etchmiadzin