Echmiadzin Monastery, Vagharshapat, Armenia

Every nation has its own spiritual relics, what unites the nation. The monastery Vagharshapat is of great importance for Armenians. In this article, we will disclose its complex history. Many monasteries of Armenia can boast of a respectable age. But the cathedral of this monastery is considered the oldest sacred Christian building on the territory of the country. In addition, the monastery houses several priceless shrines at once. Firstly, it is a piece of the ark that Noah built to save some specimens of the fauna from the Flood. Secondly, in the abode of Vagharshapat the spear is kept, by which the Roman legionary player pierced the chest of the crucified Jesus Christ. And finally, the third relic - the right hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator. This monastic monastery is the throne of the patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Therefore, not only tourists but also believers of this Christian confession are hurrying to the monastery. The buildings of the shrine are listed in the UNESCO list as an object of the world heritage of mankind.

Etchmiadzin Monastery on the map

Where is the throne of the Catholicos, the supreme Armenian patriarch? The monastic monastery, which is often called a holy city, is located on the Ararat plain, in the Armavir region. From the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, to reach Etchmiadzin is not a problem. After all, this place is sacred for the inhabitants of the country. As for the Roman Catholics, the St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican is of primary importance, so for the Armenians the main role in the Christian self-consciousness is played by the Etchmiadzin monastery. But the train to reach the monastery is inconvenient: it is located fifteen kilometers from the railway station. Bus communication will be the best option. The city of Vagharshapat (Armenia), in the middle of which the monastery is located, lies only twenty-five kilometers from Yerevan. And all minibuses, as a rule, follow to this monastery. The monastery occupies a vast territory, so it is simply impossible not to notice it or to pass by.

Confusion with names

Often you can hear that Vagharshapat is called the Etchmiadzin Monastery. It seems that the second name was received by the monastery in the city, in the center of which it is located. But this is not so. The real name of the monastery is Etchmiadzin. In translation from Armenian it means "the descent of the Only Begotten" (ie Jesus Christ). The fact is that the monastery was founded by Grigory Lusavorich, the first Catholicos of Armenians. In a dream, he saw the son of God strike a golden hammer on the ground, indicating the place where the first stone was laid for the construction of the monastery. But even before, in the sixth century BC, the pagan prince Vardges built a large settlement here. In the second century after the birth of Christ it became a city. During the reign of Vagharshak the First (118-140 years) it was the capital of Armenia. The city bore the name of the king - Vagharshapat. In the Soviet era, the name was changed, but in 1992 they returned. Behind the monastery there was preserved the name of the nearby city. That's why the Etchmiadzin Monastery "Vagharshapat" is called. Although the ancient city was located a little further away, on the left bank of the Kassah.

History of the Etchmiadzin Monastery

According to the legend, the first cathedral in Vagharshapat (and all Armenia) was laid in 303, when Christianity became the state religion in the province. King Trdat III built it. There is a very beautiful legend about this, which, however, has no historical confirmation. Thirty-eight beautiful virgins fled from the persecution of Emperor Diocletian from Rome to Armenia. And among them was Hripsime, who was more beautiful than others. Trdat wanted to make her his wife. But Hripsime gave her vows to devote herself to God. And then the king, having fallen into affect, ordered to kill all 38 girls. He was able to heal Trdata from madness only by St. Gregory the Illuminator. The tsar adopted Christianity, made his spiritual healer the first Catholicos and built near the palace the Etchmiadzinsky monastery and cathedral. However, this is not the building that we see today. Originally the temple was wooden. It became stone only in the fifth century.

The layout of the monastery

The main core was and remains the cathedral of Etchmiadzin. He took the present form in 618, under the Catholicos Nerses III Builder, when the original basilica was replaced by a cross-domed church. Also in the Echmiadzinsky monastery are the refectory, the Shokagat church and the gate of King Trdat (the 17th century), the old (18th century) and new (XX century) catholicos' chambers, the Spiritual Academy (early 20th century), the hospice "Kazarapat" (The 18th century). There is another ancient building on the territory of the monastery. These are the churches of Hripsime and Gayane. They were built in the seventh century, and rebuilt in 1652. The belltower of the cathedral took place in the middle of the seventeenth century, and the vestry - in 1870.

Cultural value of the monastery

The frescoes written by Ovnatan Nagash and his grandson Nathan at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were preserved in the cathedral. In one of the temple naves there is a museum of medieval arts and crafts (created in 1955). Unfortunately, the monastery repeatedly suffered from invasions. At the beginning of the XIX century, the Etchmiadzin Monastery (Armenia) became a battleground during the Russo-Persian War. Because of this, the city of Vagharshapat was literally wiped off the face of the earth. The first photographs were recorded by the monastery, lonely rising in the middle of the desert. The interior of the churches is not as rich as we used to see in Orthodox churches. After all, the Armenian Church absorbed much of the Catholic ritual. The walls are decorated with paintings, not icons, liturgy is accompanied by organ music.

The sacred value of the monastery

Etchmiadzin Monastery is the throne of the Catholicos. The high priests lived in the monastery from the time it was founded until 484 and after 1441. The presence of the Catholicos of all Armenians gives this place a special aura. But Surb Echmiadzin is also a repository of priceless relics. Here you can see the relics of John the Baptist, Stephen the First Martyr, the Apostles Andrew the First-Called, Bartholomew, Thomas and Thaddeus. Particular reverence is surrounded by the particles of Noah's Ark, the spears of Geghard, the Primal Cross of Christ and his crown of thorns. On religious holidays, pilgrims flock to the Etchmiadzin Monastery even from abroad.

What should you see the tourist?

It is worth to visit the museum. It stores gifts, which in different years were presented to the Catholicos: robes, gold and silver vessels, crosses and other church utensils. If you have strong nerves, look into the church of Saint Gayane. In this temple there is a special massacre, where the butcher stabs animals - sheep, bulls or cocks, which are sacrificed. This rite, which is called matah, is performed at the baptism of a child (he is cross-stained with blood on his forehead). Many Christians call this a relic of ancient paganism. But Armenians perform mats for health or for the repose of the soul of the deceased. And for this purpose they go to the Etchmiadzin Monastery. Armenia can boast of another shrine, very close to the famous monastery. This is Zvartnots, or the Temple of Bending Forces, built in the seventh century. In the tenth century, it collapsed because of an error in the calculations of architects.