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HOLY ETCHMIADZIN
Holy
Etchmiadzin
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Etchmiadzin is one of the oldest
cities on the Ararat Plain. In the past,
Armenians called the city Vagharshapat
in honor of the Armenian King Vagharsh I
Arshakuni (117-140). At the beginning of the
fourth century, Vagharshapat became the center of
Armenian Christianity. Here, the first church of
Armenia, the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, as well as
the chapels over the gravesites of martyred
virgins, Hripsime anad Gayane, were constructed. |
| Holy Etchmiadzin was built in
301-303 during the reign of King Trdat III. The
first Catholicos of Etchmiazdin was St. Gregory
the Illuminator (Krikor Loosavorich) who had a
vision. In it, he saw Christ descend from Heaven
and strike the ground with a golden hammer,
directing the place for the site of the church.
The name of the church became Etchmiadzin since
it meant "the Only-Begotten One
Descended". Within the cathedral is a separate altar known as "Ijman Seghan"
(Altar of descent), marking the spot of Christ's
descent in the vision.
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St Gregory's
Vision |
Cathedral
Dome. Interior decoration by Naghash and Hovnatan
Hovnatanian XVII
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The design of the cathedral has
evolved somewhat since the 4th century. Initially
the cathedral was a basilica-type structure. Its
present-day domed, cross-type composition is a
result of 5th century reconstruction during the
reign of Prince Vaha Mamikonian as well as 7th
century renovations during the era of
Catholicoses Komitas and Nerses III.
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| The primitive forms of the
Cathedral changed considerably with more recent
additions. The structural changes are especially
obvious around the small and large domes (1627),
the west side belfry (1658), and the museum wing
added to the east side (1869). Today, the
Cathedral is located in a walled compound with
gardens and various other religious structures.
The design is of Armenian tradition with a belfry
and a number of rotundas.
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Cathedral
Belfry Decorations
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Remnants of the
Pagan firepit
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In 1958, when the main altar was
to be replaced with a heavier, marble altar
excavations began to install a firmer foundation.
During the excavations, a hearthlike firepit was
discovered, most probably the remnant of a
pre-Christian temple. |
Reference :
Treasures of Etchmiadzin
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