Echmiadzin, Hripsime, Gayane and Zvartnots Churches Tour Yerevan

Echmiadzin Cathedral and the Mother See

Echmiadzin Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the Armenian Church and the seat of its head, the Catholicos. Tradition dates its foundation to the early fourth century, when Saint Gregory the Illuminator saw a vision of Christ descending, and the name Echmiadzin means the place where the Only Begotten descended. The building has been rebuilt and extended many times since.

Visitors often ask whether an Echmiadzin Cathedral tour is worth the drive from Yerevan, and the answer is yes if you are interested in the history of Christianity. The compound includes a museum with relics, a courtyard with khachkars and a bell tower. Dress modestly and be aware that services may limit access at certain times.

Saint Hripsime Church

The Church of Saint Hripsime was built in 618 and is one of the best preserved early Armenian churches. It honours the martyr Hripsime, who according to tradition fled to Armenia with her companions and was killed before the king accepted Christianity. The plan is a cross within a square topped by a dome, a form that became a model for later Armenian architecture.

Inside, the stone is plain and the atmosphere is calm, with candles lit at the entrance. The guide explains the story of the saint and the architecture. The church is part of the UNESCO listing for the cathedral and churches of Echmiadzin and Zvartnots, and a visit takes about thirty minutes.

Saint Gayane Church

The Church of Saint Gayane was built around 630 and is dedicated to the abbess who accompanied Hripsime. It has a vaulted hall with a central dome supported by pillars and a simple exterior that rewards a slow look. Next to it stands a small cemetery and a courtyard where, according to tradition, the martyrs' graves lie.

The church is a few minutes by vehicle from the cathedral, so the visit is short, about thirty minutes in total. The guide shows details of the carved stone and explains the differences between this church and Hripsime. Wear modest clothing and avoid flash photography inside.

Zvartnots Cathedral ruins

Zvartnots was built in the mid-seventh century by Catholicos Nerses III and was once a large circular church with several tiers. It collapsed centuries ago, probably after an earthquake, and the ruins now stand in an open field with columns, carved capitals and the outline of the floor plan.

The site is one of the most photogenic in Armenia, because on a clear day Mount Ararat rises behind the stones. Many people wonder what time is best for photographs: the morning gives clear air, while the late afternoon gives warmer light. The guide describes how the building looked in its prime, and the visit takes about an hour.