Monastic Complex of the Holy Etchmiadzin

The Monastic Complex of the Holy Etchmiadzin stands as the principal landmark of the city and one of the most significant sites in all of Armenia. It is here that the residence and the throne of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians, are located. Spanning an area of 35 hectares, the complex includes the Cathedral of Surb Etchmiadzin, a monastic guesthouse, a seminary, a printing house, several museums, and monastic cells. The grounds are also adorned with numerous khachkars, some of which are unique and ancient.

The main entrance to the complex is situated on Araratyan Street, just 100 meters south of Komitas Square. This entrance, known as the Gates of St. Gregory, is designed in the form of a traditional gavit (vestibule) and features a relief depicting St. Gregory the Illuminator, the baptizer of Armenia, alongside King Trdat III, who was initially his persecutor but later became a devoted follower.

Adjacent to the gates stands a monumental open-air altar where festive services are held during the summer months. For instance, in August, grapes are blessed here following the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin. Both the gates and the altar are not ancient; they were constructed in the early 21st century to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s adoption of Christianity.

To the right of the entrance is a modest two-story building topped with a large dome, which houses the Spiritual Academy named after Catholicos Gevork IV, established in 1874. Behind it lies the Church of the Holy Angels, a stunning example of modern Armenian church architecture, characterized by its tall structure with ribbed projections styled to resemble arched columns.

Closer to the Cathedral is the printing house, whose facade of dark tuff faces the central avenue of the complex. The printing house also features a bookstore and souvenir shop, as well as an ATM.

Immediately behind the printing house is the main sanctuary of the complex—the Cathedral of Surb Etchmiadzin, the principal church for all Armenians, regardless of where they reside. For centuries, members of the Armenian diaspora from various corners of the globe have made pilgrimages to this sacred site. The original church on the site of the current cathedral was built between 301 and 303 AD, precisely where the Only Begotten Son of God appeared to St. Gregory in a vision. This was the first Christian church established on Armenian soil.

In the early 17th century, Persian forces under Abbas I invaded Armenia. The Shah ordered the deportation of all residents of the Ararat Valley (over 250,000 people) to Persia, seeking to bring skilled Armenian artisans and merchants to his land. This deportation is referred to in Armenian history as the “Great Surgun.” Furthermore, Abbas commanded the dismantling and transportation of all the relics from the devastated Cathedral of Surb Etchmiadzin to Isfahan. As a result, the city of Vagharshapat was nearly depopulated; however, by the mid-17th century, Armenia’s principal church was resurrected.

By the 7th century, the cathedral had evolved into a tetraconch structure with a square space beneath the dome and four semicircular apses. Unlike classical tetraconchs, the dome of Etchmiadzin was supported by four massive columns. This architectural form has been preserved to this day, having accumulated several additions over the centuries: a sacristy behind the altar (1868), a bell tower at the main entrance (1658), and three belfries atop the roof surrounding the main dome (1682).

The bell tower and the drum of the main dome are notable for their exquisite stone carvings. When the current structure was erected in the late 5th century, stone blocks from the previous church on this site were utilized. To this day, reliefs depicting the Apostle Paul and St. Thecla can be found on the northern side of the cathedral, alongside an equilateral Greek cross within a circle. The interior of the cathedral is adorned with unique frescoes, the majority of which were created at various times by members of the renowned Ovnatanian dynasty of Armenian masters.

Behind the altar of the cathedral lies the sacristy, which requires a ticket for entry, available at the bookstore (1000 drams). Here, some of the greatest relics of the Armenian Church are preserved, including the spearhead of the Roman centurion Longinus, who pierced Christ on the cross at Golgotha, a fragment of the cross on which the Savior was crucified, a piece of Christ’s crown of thorns, the right hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator, and a fragment of Noah’s Ark.

To the right of the cathedral, one can find a modern building that houses the Chapel of Saints Vardan and Ovanes,

which features a monument dedicated to the victims of the 1915 genocide, constructed from khachkars. Behind the cathedral stand the narrow, towering gates of Trdat III, leading to the residence of the Catholicos.

Within the grounds of the residence, several intriguing museums await visitors, although access is limited to guided tours organized by travel agencies. Among the most notable is the A. and M. Manukyan Museum, which houses a collection of gifts bestowed upon the Armenian Church over the centuries. Equally captivating is the Memorial Museum of the Catholicos of Armenia, located in the old residence that served as such from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

Address: Vagharshapat, Komitas Square. GPS Coordinates: 40.16183, 44.29111.

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