The Cathedral of St. Echmiadzin

In the heart of the city of Vagharshapat there is one of the most important buildings of Armenian culture. 

The cathedral was built in 301-303 by Gregory the Illuminator.

This is perhaps the first Christian church in Armenia.

According to legend, the Illuminator sees a vision in which Jesus Christ descends from heaven and strikes with a hammer, showing where the church should be built.

This is the place where the main spiritual center is located.

The temple was destroyed many times by enemies and was restored.

During archaeological excavations in 1958 at the base of the temple, columnar foundations, an altar, and in earlier layers a pagan fire pit, etc. were discovered.

The cathedral is the residence of the Armenian Catholicos. The Gevorgyan Theological Seminary operates on the territory of the temple founded in 1874, the museum, bakery, printing house, Matenadaran, Jeremiah cells, and many other buildings.