⛪ Etchmiadzin Cathedral
Armenia
About This Sacred Site
Etchmiadzin Cathedral, located in the city of Vagharshapat, is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and is often considered the oldest cathedral in the world. Originally built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator between 301 and 303 CE, after Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion, the cathedral has been rebuilt and renovated multiple times. It serves as the seat of the Catholicos, the head of the Armenian Church. The cathedral complex houses sacred relics including a piece of the True Cross and the Holy Lance.
Key Facts
- •Often considered the oldest cathedral in the world, built 301-303 CE
- •Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as state religion
- •Houses relics including a fragment of the True Cross
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000
- •Seat of the Catholicos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Location
Coordinates: 40.1631, 44.2911
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