Etchmiadzin Cathedral

This article is about the cathedral. For the Holy See, see Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

"Ejmiatsin" redirects here. For the town, see Vagharshapat, Armenia.

Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin Մայր Տաճար Սուրբ Էջմիածին
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
Shown within Armenia
Basic information
Location	Vagharshapat, Armavir (province),  Armenia
Geographic coordinates	40°09′42″N 44°17′28″E / 40.161769°N 44.291164°E / 40.161769; 44.291164Coordinates: 40°09′42″N 44°17′28″E / 40.161769°N 44.291164°E / 40.161769; 44.291164
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Region	Europe
State	Armenia
Status	Active
Heritage designation	2000
Leadership	Catholicos
Architectural description
Architectural type	Cathedral
Architectural style	Armenian
Groundbreaking	301
Completed	303
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name: Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Type:	Cultural
Criteria:	ii, iii
Designated:	2000 (24th session)
Reference #:	1011
Region:	Europe

Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin (Armenian: Մայր Տաճար Սուրբ Էջմիածին Mayr Tajar Surb Ejmiatsin; originally known as the Holy Mother of God Church, Armenian: Սուրբ Աստուածածին Եկեղեցի Surb Astvatsatsin Yekeghetsi) is a 4th century Armenian church in the town of Ejmiatsin, Armenia. It is also the central cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Etchmiadzin Cathedral is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

History

Ancient Vagharshapat and Etchmiadzin complex

Map of Etchmiadzin

The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the oldest state-built church in the world. The original vaulted basilica was built in 301-303 by Saint Gregory the Illuminator when Armenia became the first officially Christian country in the world. Gregory had converted King Tiridates III and members of his court^[1].

According to the 5th-century Armenian annals, St. Gregory had a vision of Christ descending from heaven and striking the earth with a golden hammer to show where the cathedral should be built. Hence, the patriarch gave the church and the city the new name of Echmiadzin, which may be translated as "the place where the Only Begotten descended".

In 480, Vahan Mamikonian, the Sassanian governor (marzban) of Armenia, ordered the dilapidated basilica to be replaced with a new cruciform church.

In 618, the wooden dome was replaced with a stone one, resting on four massive pillars linked to exterior walls by arcades. This was the church much as it is today.

Murals in the interior and extravagant rotundas surmounting the apses appeared in the early 18th century. A three-tier belfry was constructed half a century earlier.

The cathedral formerly boasted the largest collection of Armenian medieval manuscripts, but these were lately handed over to the Matenadaran in Yerevan.

Description

Immediately west of the cathedral is the Gate of St. Tiridates, leading to the imposing patriarchal palace. To the northeast, with buildings both within and outside the enclosure, is the Spiritual Academy. Several khachkars are north of the cathedral.

References

1. ^ Academic American Encyclopedia, p 172, Grolier Incorporated.

Gallery

• Etchmiadzin Cathedral
• 

  General view

• 

  View from the entrance

• 

  Side view

• 

  Entrance and tympanum

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  The belfry

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  Interior view

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  Interior

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  Altar

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  Frescoes in interior of dome and drum

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  Detailed carvings

See also

• Armenian architecture
• Armenian Apostolic Church
  • Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
• Vagharshapat, Armenia, the city (formerly Etchmiadzin, Armenia)

Other churches in Vagharshapat, Armenia (Etchmiadzin):

• Saint Gayane Church
• Saint Hripsime church
• Saint Shoghakat Church

External links

• St Etchmiadzin at Armenica.org
• UNESCO World Heritage Site profile
• "Etschmiadzin". Catholic Encyclopedia. 2007-02-22. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05571a.htm. 
• Etchmiadzin Cathedral at GEOnet Names Server
• World Gazeteer: Armenia – World-Gazetteer.com
• Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census, National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia