Echmiadzin Cathedral

4.9

85 ratings

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Level 7 Local Expert

The heart of the Armenian people. The first church in the world, the place of which was indicated by God Himself and the realization that He was here, changes the attitude towards this place. All the Armenians, our former greatness and all 17 centuries of our long-suffering faith are physically felt here.

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Кеворков Георгий

Level 21 Local Expert

A must-visit. The temple was opened after a long restoration.

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Карине Коюмджян

Level 7 Local Expert

A truly magical place, filling with powerful energy, attracting like a magnet! The park near the church is wonderful, I want to spend hours arriving here! It is obligatory for all Christians to visit 🙏🙏🙏

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Stepan Simonyan

Level 5 Local Expert

This is the best place in the world

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Ольга В.

Level 17 Local Expert

The most memorable event during the trip to Armenia is the visit to Etchmiadzin. I remember that on this day our leaders were unusually strict and collected. They explained in detail how we should behave, what is possible and what is not. Their excitement has been passed on to us. It turns out that we will go to the main temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church. There will be a service there on this day, which will be conducted by the head of the church, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen the First. We realized that we were going to see an outstanding man, deeply respected by all the people. For us, Komsomol members of the eighties, visiting the temple is already unusual, and there is also such an important ceremony. In general, they got into it... They should stand aside, not interfere with anyone, not be baptized (Armenians are Monophysites, they are baptized in a different way (and we did not know how to be baptized then)). The Echmiadzin Monastery, founded in the second century, is amazing. The history of the temple is rich in various facts, filled with legends and tales. There are wonderful legends about this place, about the creation of a temple, about a willow branch that exorcised evil spirits. The territory of the monastery is decorated with ancient khachkars — steles with a carved image of a cross. They were brought from all over Armenia. Magnificent bell tower, all in carved patterns, majestic main cathedral with six (!!!) altars. Magical paintings, fabulous ornaments, beautiful paintings. Wherever the eye falls, everything is filled with beauty and grandeur. The richest treasury and unique museums of the monastery store very important relics for believers - three particles of the cross on which Jesus was raised, the tip of the Spear of Fate, a fragment of Noah's Ark, a reliquary with the relics of St. Peter, the right hand with the relics of the most respected saints, the Golden Alphabet I mentioned and much more. To our great regret, the museum was closed on the day of this important service. So the service began and the choir sang... It was such wonderful singing and such a beautiful melody, brought out by the purest voices, that I just disappeared… The state cannot be transmitted at this moment. In the "Tale of Bygone Years it is said": "... and they did not know where we were — in heaven or on earth" That's about how it was... I have not heard more beautiful spiritual singing in my whole life. Thanks to everyone who read to the end! There is a lot to tell about Armenia, but it is better to see it. That's it!

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