Echmiadzin Cathedral and Churches — Vagharshapat
Էջմիածին Մայր Տաճար · Etchmiadzin Cathedral · Mother Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin · Vagharshapat Churches
Early Christian Armenian (301–650 CE)·Early Armenian Apostolic; Urartian–Hellenistic pagan predecessor·🇦🇲 Armavir Province, Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin), Ararat Plain, Armenia
About
About Echmiadzin Cathedral and Churches — Vagharshapat
World's oldest state-built Christian cathedral complex (301–303 CE) at Vagharshapat (40.1619,44.291), Armenia — first nation to adopt Christianity via Gregory the Illuminator and King Tiridates III. Mother Cathedral built over Urartian–Hellenistic pagan temple of Tir/Anahit on Ararat Plain, 303 CE basilica rebuilt 483 (Vahan Mamikonian) and 618 (Komitas). Along with St. Hripsime (618), St. Gayane (630) and Zvartnots ruins (643, Gagik), UNESCO 1011 documents invention of Armenian tetraconch and dome-basilica that predates Byzantine Hagia Sophia by 230 years. Seventh-century Armenian architecture's apogee. Gregory's vision of 'Ej Miacin' (Descent of the Only-Begotten).
Why it mattersOldest Christian state cathedral and invention locus of Armenian dome tetraconch, transmitting dome-on-pendentive to Byzantine. UNESCO 1011.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Exact pagan Tir temple under altar (430 BCE?)
- 02Hripsime virgin martyrdom historicity
Theories
- 01Echmiadzin over pagan Tir as supersession theology
- 02Armenian 618 architecture as Carolingian precursor
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 301–303 CE wooden basilica Gregory; 483 Vahan, 618 Komitas stone; Hripsime 618, Gayane 630
- Period
- Early Christian Armenian (301–650 CE)
- Culture
- Early Armenian Apostolic; Urartian–Hellenistic pagan predecessor
- Builders
- Gregory the Illuminator, King Tiridates III, Catholicos Sahak and Komitas, architect Mane
- Purpose
- State cathedral of first Christian kingdom (301) on pagan Tir temple, housing Holy Lance and Noah relics; martyria for Roman virgins
- Abandoned
- Never abandoned; sacked 1604 Abbas, rebuilt 1627
- Rediscovered
- Continuous; UNESCO 2000 recording
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
301 CE
Armenia adopts Christianity, Gregory builds wood cathedral
618 CE
Komitas rebuilds in tufa with dome, Hripsime erected
2000
UNESCO 1011 Vagharshapat Churches
On the ground
Structures & features
40.1619° N · 44.2910° E · 860 m · 2 mapped features
Echmiadzin Cathedral — Mother See (301 CE)
cathedral301–303 CE Gregory the Illuminator basilica on pagan temple platform (Tir/Diana), rebuilt 483 and 618, dome 17 m, oldest state-built church in world
40.1620° N · 44.2910° EEchmiadzin — Saint Hripsime Church (618 CE)
church618 CE tetraconch Hripsime, masterpiece of Armenian architecture on virgin martyr shrine, heavy tufa ashlar
40.1669° N · 44.3090° E