Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Cathedral outside, Museum of Treasures of Echmiadzin), Zvartnots

As part of this excursion you will visit churches included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. First stops – the churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, two of the three churches in Etchmiadzin dedicated to Christian martyrs who fled Rome along with their abbess Gayane. Next comes the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the very first Christian cathedral in the world. Currently, the Cathedral is under reconstruction and, unfortunately, it can only be seen from the outside. After this there will be a visit to the “Treasures of Etchmiadzin” museum. with a final stop near Zvartnots, the medieval temple of St. Gregory, built in the 7th century, one of the tallest buildings of its time.

1. Church of St. Hripsime
Before the entrance to the city of Etchmiadzin there is a majestic temple of St. Hripsime. Hripsime – the name of the martyr resting in the crypt, under the altar. For spreading Christianity in Armenia and refusing to marry Trdat III, she was tortured and then killed. At the site of the death of St. Hripsime, a temple was erected in the 7th century, as evidenced by the inscription on the western wall of the temple, which is a classic example of cruciform central domed structures. The object is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

2. Church of St. Gayane
Among the numerous monuments of Etchmiadzin, the most famous is the Church of St. Gayane, located south of the Cathedral. According to legend, the martyr Gayane was Hripsime’s friend, her mentor, and, like her, she died for the spread of Christianity. The temple was founded in 630 by Catholicos Ezr. Built in the form of a domed basilica, it was thoroughly restored in 1652. Later, a gallery was added to its western façade – burial place of the hierarchs of the Armenian Church. In the southern aisle of the temple, next to the altar apse, rest the relics of St. Gayane. The object is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

3. Etchmiadzin Cathedral
Etchmiadzin Cathedral is considered one of the most ancient monuments of Christianity. It was built in the 4th century after the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion. According to legend, the Cathedral was built in the very place that Christ, who appeared in a dream to Gregory the Illuminator, pointed out, and this is where the name Etchmiadzin comes from. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. The church complex is summarized by three churches located near the cathedral: St. Hripsime, St. Gayane, St. Shoghakat, in memory of the virgin martyrs who died from persecution. From the end of 2018 to the present day, restoration work has been underway, so the Cathedral can currently only be seen from the outside. The object is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

4. Museum of Treasures of Echmiadzin
Museum of “Treasures of Echmiadzin” located in the southeastern part of the Cathedral. The museum displays unique holy relics. One of the most famous treasures is Saint Geghard (housed in a silver reliquary), which pierced the side of Christ, the relics of Noah's Ark (also housed in a reliquary created in 1698), as well as many other valuable works of art. According to history, the reliquary containing the relics of Noah's Ark was given to Patriarch St. James of Mtsbn in the 4th century, as he wanted to climb to the top of Mount Ararat to find Noah's Ark. Having climbed the mountain, he fell asleep under the influence of the Most High, and the angel of God placed the reliquary of the Ark at his head. In a dream, an angel urged St. James to wake up, take his relics and go down from the top of the mountain. In addition to the exhibits presented, during the archaeological excavations carried out during the restoration of the Sacred Altar, the remains of the main Altar dating back to 301-303, founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator, were found.

5. Zvartnots Temple
The amazing Zvartnots Temple – the result of the vast experience and creative potential of Armenian architects of the 7th century. Being built on columns, it stood until the 10th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, when excavations were carried out at this site, many experts found it difficult to accept the reconstruction model developed by the famous Armenian architect Toros Toramanyan, since it was difficult to imagine how such a bulky and complex structure could have been built in those days. And it is surprising that the proof of Toramanyan’s version is one of the bas-reliefs of the Sainte-Chapelle temple in Paris, which depicts the Zvartnots temple with Noah’s Ark. It looks exactly like the model presented by the architect. The object is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

• Russian
• English

1. St. Hripsime Church
2. Church of St. Gayane
3. Echmiadzin Cathedral
4. Museum of Treasures of Etchmiadzin
5. Zvartnots Temple

The cost of the excursion includes:
- Professional guide: ENG + RUS sequentially;
- Bottled water and buns;
- WiFi in transport;
- Cars with air conditioning;
- Insurance of vehicles and passengers;
- Entrance tickets

Tour price does not include:
- Stop for lunch;
- Return transfer to the hotel after returning to Yerevan;
- Personal expenses

Order cancellation conditions:
If a tourist cancels an excursion less than 3 days in advance – penalty 100%

In case of unfavorable weather conditions or force majeure, the Company reserves the right to change, shorten or cancel the Excursion for safety reasons. If, due to the above circumstances, the Company replaced the visited places or Services provided during the Excursion with similar places or Services, then it does not bear any obligation to the Customer and any amount is not refundable.

Important:
- Check-out: 10:00, For proper check-in and boarding, participants are required to arrive at st. Nalbandyan 96, Yerevan no later than 30 minutes before departure of the Excursion.
- During Group Excursions, the desired seats in the vehicle are not reserved in advance.
- Citizens of some countries must obtain a visa when participating in a Group Excursion to the Republic of Georgia Republic of Georgia, and in some cases, a visa from the Republic of Armenia for re-entry into the country. The company does not provide visa support. Visas are issued on the basis of valid international treaties between the Republic of Georgia and (or) the Republic of Armenia and the country of which you are a citizen.
- During Group Excursions, it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes, preferably closed ones.
- Regardless of the destination, it is advisable take warm clothes, as the climate where the attractions are located may differ from the climate in Yerevan.
- When visiting the temple, men and women are advised not to wear revealing clothing. It is advisable for women to keep their heads covered while in the temple.
- No pets are allowed on Group Tours.
- The Company is not responsible for your items left behind, lost, damaged or misplaced during Group Tours as in the vehicle and in visited places.