Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the holy seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of All Armenians. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral inside the complex which encompasses an area of 150,000m², was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301.
The Etchmiadzin complex is considered a sanctified soil and has been called Armenian Vatican.
On the right is the Gate of Saint Gregory and on the left is the Altar Gevorkian Seminary. The entrance to the complex is through this gate.
View from inside the complex. It is here where the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was held in 24 April 2015 where approximately 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Turkey people.
The Altar where the Catholicos of All Armenian, Karekin II canonised the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Library.
Gevorkian Seminary was established since 1874.
This theological seminary was granted status of university in 2003 and is the oldest higher education institution in the modern history of Armenia.
The highlight of this complex is none other than the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built in the year 483 and is considered to be the oldest cathedral in the world.
When I was there, the cathedral was under renovation to get ready for the 100th year commemoration of the Armenian Genocide by the Turkish Ottoman in the year 1915.
Time to head in.
Interior of the Ethmiadzin Cathedral.
For many centuries, Etchmiadzin was the national and political center of the Armenian people.
This cathedral is a major pilgrimage site and one of the most visited place in Armenia.
The alter.
A picture of Jesus and his 12 disciples.
Displayed in the Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the Holy Lance, the lance that pierced the side of Jesus. Don’t know how true that this is the Holy Lance since there are so many claimed Holy Lance in this world. I didn’t see it as there is a fee to enter this part of the cathedral.
Front view of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Because of the on going renovation works the facade of the cathedral was marred by the scaffoldings.
The cat leaping to catch a bee.
Museums.
Some books for sale in the museum.
Beautiful gardens at the complex.
Took some photo’s of the beautiful and colourful flowers.
Time to have a look at that building.
The Armenian Genocide memorial.
Armenia has abundant of spring water.
The Saint Vartan and Hovhannes Baptistery.
Weddings and Baptism are held here.
Interior of the chapel.
Nice place for a photo stop.
Books and souvenir shop.
Gate of King Trdat leading to the Pontifical Residence.
Veharan Pontifical Residence completed in 1915 consist of the pontifical residence quarters, administrative offices of the Catholicos, meeting rooms and treasury museum.
Part of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin complex is the Church of Holy Archangels. Completed in 2011, the tower serves as a seminary church.
View of the Church of Holy Archangels from inside the complex.
Heading back out after exploring the complex of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,
Took a photo of two pretty Armenians on the way out.
Leaving the complex.
Just opposite Etchmiadzin complex is the Museum of Sculptors.
Few interesting sculptors are being displayed outside the museum.
Went in the museum to see more of the sculptors. Entrance fee is about USD 1.
Some of the sculptures being displayed.
The exhibition hall.
I’ll post some of the interesting sculptures here.
Genocide.
Struggle for Life.
All the sculptures were sculptured by Khoren Der-Harootian.
Time to leave. An abandoned building at the car park.
Passed by the Komitas Statue at the central square of Echmiadzin city. Komitas was a famous musicologist, composer and a choirmaster.
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is located in Vagharshapat which has also other historical landmarks. I headed there next.
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