Etchmiadzin Cathedral

Etchmiadzin Cathedral, located in the city of Vagharshapat, is the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church and a symbol of the country’s Christian heritage. Built in the early 4th century by Saint Gregory the Illuminator, it is considered the oldest cathedral in the world. The cathedral’s name, “Etchmiadzin,” means “the place where the Only Begotten descended,” reflecting a vision in which Christ descended from heaven and struck the ground with a golden hammer, indicating where the church should be built. The architectural design of the cathedral, with its distinctive dome and cross-shaped layout, has influenced Armenian church architecture for centuries. Today, Etchmiadzin remains an active religious center, hosting liturgies, pilgrimages, and significant ecclesiastical events. The cathedral complex also includes a museum that houses religious relics, manuscripts, and treasures of the Armenian Church. Visiting Etchmiadzin offers a profound insight into the spiritual life and history of the Armenian people, as well as a chance to witness a living tradition of faith.