Etchmiadzin (Mother Cathedral, St. Gayane, St. Hripsime), Zvartnots Cathedral

"According to tradition, the main church was built in the place where Miadzin descended, Etchmiadzin. In Gregory's vision, Christ shows the place of the main temple with a golden hammer.
The oldest cathedral in the world, founded in 303, was destined to become an important witness and participant in the history of the Armenian people. Being the most important center of the Armenian Church's world network, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral is now represented by a large area, including many old and new churches, secular structures, libraries, a seminary, etc."

The series of glorious churches of the seventh century continues with St. Gayane, which was founded only 12 years later than St. Hripsime. This church, built in 630, was built on the grave of a Christian virgin who died in Armenia at the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 4th century, about 3 centuries after her death. The church was restored in 1652. There are many coffins in the yard, among them famous military and cultural figures of the Armenian people.

According to experts, Saint Hripsime's architecture is considered one of the best Armenian examples. Here, for the first time, Armenian niches providing seismic resistance were used. The construction of the huge church was completed in 618, leaving behind a great architectural legacy, the details of which are still used today.

Despite being destroyed, Zvartnots continues to be unique in terms of its spiritual, cultural and architectural significance. This huge church named after the angels had been built for 9 years and consecrated in 652. The wonderful temple with a height of 46-49 meters was destroyed, probably as a result of an earthquake, after which such churches were no longer built in Armenia. The real appearance of Zvartnots was unknown for a long time until architect T. Toramanian proposed the real initial form of the church, which was later proven by other historical facts.