Khor Virap Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Museum "Treasures of Echmiadzin", Churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, Zvartnots Temple
Khor Virap Monastery
It is no coincidence that the monastery of Khor Virap ("Deep Dungeon") is considered the most sacred place in Armenia – after all, it was in the prison here that Gregory the Illuminator, who later baptized our country, languished for 14 years. It was here that by the power of faith, by the power of his prayer, he was able to resist death, and then gave Armenia a "new life" - this is how the adoption of Christianity as the state religion will be called after 301. Separately, it's worth noting that a beautiful view opens from Khor Virap: this is the closest point from the symbol of Armenia, the biblical Mount Ararat - only 7 km!.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Museum "Treasures of Etchmiadzin", Churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane
As is known, Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as an official religion in 301. Therefore, during your visit to Armenia, we suggest that you take the opportunity to visit the very first Christian cathedral in the world, Echmiadzin, which is located just 21 km from Yerevan, in the center of the city of Vagharshapat.
According to legend, the first Catholicos of all Armenians, Gregory the Illuminator, had a vision in which he saw Christ descending from heaven with a golden hammer in his hand. With this hammer, Christ showed him the place where the first Christian church was to be built in place of the destroyed pagan temple. Gregory did so, and the place was named Echmiadzin, which means "Descent of the Only Begotten".
The next stop of the tour is the Monastery of St. Hripsime, which is located only 500 m from the Cathedral of St. Etchmiadzin and was built in 618, over the grave of the holy virgin. The church is a pearl of Armenian architecture.
