Homepage Private Tours Khor Virap, Etchmiadzin, Mother Cathedral, St. Gayane, St. Hripsime, Zvartnots Cathedral

Khor Virap, Etchmiadzin, Mother Cathedral, St. Gayane, St. Hripsime, Zvartnots Cathedral

Duration 6-7 hours.

Our tour group will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the Khor Virap monastery, where the first Catholicos of the Armenians, Grigor Lusavorich, was imprisoned. Within the framework of this cultural tour, we will visit the spiritual center of Armenians and the main church, the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin, St. Hripsime and St. Gayane churches and the 7th-century temple Zvartnots. This tour will interest the most curious tourists interested in medieval architecture, art, religion and history. All the places included in the tour program are under the protection of UNESCO World Heritage.

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Program

1. Khor Virap

Many people know that Armenia is the first Christian country in the world. It was officially accepted in 301 when Grigor was released from the capital's prison, which was here before. He was imprisoned here for 13 years for his Christian faith. Being the last hope of the sick king, he cured him, after which the king accepted Christianity as the state religion. At the same time, the best view of Mount Ararat opens from here. Being very close to Ararat gives you the opportunity to see the entire structure of the mountain and admire its beauty.

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2. Etchmiadzin Mother 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."

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3. St. Gayane

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.

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4. St. Hripsime

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.

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5. Zvartnots Cathedral

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.

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