Mother of God Church

If few visitors go to Shoghakat, even fewer come here yet it has a Rococo-style altar which is unique in Armenia. The original church of 1767 was wooden and the present stone building dates from the 19th century. It was built as the village church for the ordinary people of Ejmiatsin as opposed to the members of the Holy See or of the monasteries and seminaries. Even now it is near a small market and overlooked by blocks of flats. A three-aisle basilica, it has paintings on the square columns depicting Christ, the Holy family and saints. The altar, painted sky blue and white and decorated with gold leaf is made of marble and wood and in an Italianate style. Outside, the bell tower was added in 1982.

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