Exploring Major Christian Sites

$100.00

1 day(s)

from January to December

Tour countries:: Armenia
Type of tour:: Historical, General

Itinerary: Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Zvartnotz - Yerevan
Duration: 5 hours

Echmiadzin-Cathedral of Echmiadzin. 20 km far from Yerevan there is the center of Armenian Apostolic church- St. Echmiadzin. The Cathedral of Echmiadzin was founded at the beginning of the forth century and is one of the oldest churches in the world. According to the legend the church was built in the place where apparition of Jesus Christ was seen to Grigory the Enlightner in the dream. The interior of the church is covered with frescoes created by Hovnatanyan family. The residence of the Catholicos and the Theological Academy are situated near the Cathedral.
Zvartnots. This marvelous temple is a result of skillfulness and brave creativity of Armenian architects of 7th century. Being built only on several columns it survived for three centuries. Even at present the awe-inspiring ruins bear witness of the fact that Zvartnots was worth to be considered one of the jewels of the world medieval architecture.

Sites to visit
-    Etchmiadzin town which is considered to be one of the fertile towns of the Armavir Marz situated in Araratyan Valley.
-    Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin (the name means "place where begotten son of God descended). It is the mother church of Armenia and the residence of the bishop of all Armenians.
-    St. Gayane and Hripsime churches situated not far from the Cathedral.
-    Zvartnots temple. The complex consisted of St. George temple or Zvartnots ("vigil forces", "celestial angels") and the palace of Catholicos Nerses III, known as "Builder".