Vagharshapat

Etchmiadzin (Armenian Էջմիածին, in English transcription Echmiadzin, in scientific transliteration Ēǰmiajin ), officially to 1945 and again since 1992 Vagharshapat (Armenian Վաղարշապատ, in scientific transliteration Vałaršapat, also Wagarschapat ), is a town in the Armenian province of Armavir, about 20 km west Yerevan with 52,567 inhabitants ( 2009).

Cityscape

From the 2nd to the 4th century capital of Armenia today is in Echmiadzin, the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the spiritual head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The city has three well-known churches, the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, St. Gayane, St. Hripsime and two other churches, and in the center Schoghakat the Mother of God Church ( Surb Astvatsatsin ) from the 19th century. The churches are an important example of early Armenian church architecture. The cathedral is to be the first cross-domed church, she goes back to an original building of 485. Due to earthquakes and enemy attacks, however, the church had to be rebuilt again and again.

The name of Echmiadzin means as much as " Descended the natives ," since the church was built on the site where Christ Gregory the Illuminator to be published. Together with the nearby archaeological site of Zvartnots are the churches of Echmiadzin UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby is also the Yerevan airport.

Pictures

View of the Cathedral (Postcard)

The Church of St. Gayane

The Church of St. Hripsime

Sons and daughters of the town

• Aram Asatryan (1953-2006), an Armenian pop singer and songwriter