Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral, Sunday liturgy), Zvartnots

Receive a morning pickup from your Yerevan hotel, after which you will be driven to the Western part of Armenia to make your first stop at the Armenian Apostolic church of St. Echmiadzin about 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Yerevan.

Learn about the origins of the Cathedral of Echmiadzin, which was founded at the beginning of the fourth century and is considered one of the oldest churches in the world. According to legend, the church was built in a place where an apparition of Jesus Christ was seen to the religious leader Gregory the Illuminator in a dream. The interior of the church is covered with frescoes created by the Hovnatanyan family.

Head next to St. Hripsime church, the one of the famous ecclesiastical buildings in Echmiadzin. Learn about why this religious structure offers a perfect example of one of Armenia’s famous “cross-cupola” churches, while also admiring various highlights of its architectural simplicity. You’ll also find the tomb of the Christian martyr Virgin Hripsime is in the church sacristy. Not far from the Echmiadzin Cathedral, against the background of the white peaks of Ararat, you will be able to see see the silhouette of the cupola of St. Gayane church. This church was built in the 7th century and was designed in the domed-basilica style. According to legend this St. Gayane was constructed over the tomb of the Virgin Gayane, who was martyred for preaching Christianity.

Make the last stop of your excursion at Zvartnot temple, an example of the craftsmanship and creativity of Armenian architects in the 7th century. Having been built on several columns, the original structure only survived only till the 10th century. However, at the beginning of the 20th century when the site was excavated and reconstructed. After your visit to Zvartnot, you will then be returned to the local operator’s head office in central Yerevan.

Duration: 4-5 hours