Armenia is the first country in the world that adopted Christianity as a state religion as early as in 301 AD. Faith has always been important in the life of Armenians. For many centuries Armenia didn’t have sovereign statehood and existed as part of other countries and only faith helped the Armenian people to maintain their identity. Faith and language and the Armenian Apostolic Church which played a significant role in it. Consequently, because of this and also thanks to the fact that Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Etchmiadzin has become the religious, spiritual and worship centre for the Armenians all over the world.&nbsp;
According to Armenian Church tradition, after the adoption of Christianity, the first Catholicos Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) could not decide on the site of the first cathedral. He had a vision of Jesus Christ descending from heaven and striking the earth with a golden hammer to show where the cathedral should be built. Hence, it is in this very spot that the Cathedral was built and named Etchmiadzin which translates to “the Descent of the Only-Begotten” (Son of God).&nbsp;
Although a cathedral of a compact size, Etchmiadzin enchants with its unique frescoes by Naghash Hovnatan. Visit Etchmiadzin during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday. The sound of the organ, the amazing choir and the enthralling aroma of incense create a special atmosphere when you feel like a speck of dust in this world and at the same time an important particle of the Universe. In the Armenian Church there is no ritual of confession maybe because it is the Armenian church chants that make you repent of your sins and purify yourself, feel the Almighty in your soul. An inexplicable feeling!
What to see?
The Etchmiadzin Cathedral Museum is of a significant interest. Among the relics displayed in the museum are a piece of the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, a piece of Noah’s Ark, the Holy Lance (the spear which pierced Jesus Christ’s side), the right hand of Gregory the Illuminator. You can also see the chrismatory in which every seven years the Holy Chrism is prepared and then is delivered to every Armenian Church and chapel all around the world.&nbsp;
Etchmiadzin is situated in Vagharshapat Town, one of the ancient capitals of Armenia. In 1945 the town was renamed Etchmiadzin in honour of the Cathedral but in 1992 the town regained its former name. Vagharshapat is quite a small green town half an hour’s drive from Yerevan. It seems that being so near Yerevan must have brought here the hustle and bustle of a big city but thanks to Etchmiadzin Monastery Complex as well owing to the Theological Seminary functioning on the territory, a special spirit is soaring in the town.
After you have seen the Cathedral and churches in Vagharshapat, don’t hurry to Yerevan but visit “Cultural center”. The wooden doors of the Centre are always open and they are always glad to have guests. Crossing the threshold, you find yourself in a miraculous world with schools of crafts and arts, pottery and many others. By the way, you will be treated to the Armenian national cuisine and while the meal is being prepared, take a stroll in the yard, visit the museum, get energized by the works of art and then taste the dinner that is served only here! Surprisingly enough, meals are prepared and served by the youngsters of these schools.
And so, to visit Armenia and not to visit Etchmiadzin means not to learn the most momentous thing about Armenia.

Etchmiadzin

Armenia is the first country in the world that adopted Christianity as a state religion as early as in 301 AD. Faith has always been important in the life of Armenians. For many centuries Armenia didn’t have sovereign statehood and existed as part of other countries and only faith helped the Armenian people to maintain their identity. Faith and language and the Armenian Apostolic Church which played a significant role in it. Consequently, because of this and also thanks to the fact that Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Etchmiadzin has become the religious, spiritual and worship centre for the Armenians all over the world.&nbsp;

Etchmiadzin

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