Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the city dually known as Etchmiadzin (Ejmiatsin) and Vagharshapat, Armenia. It is usually considered the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia, and often regarded the oldest cathedral in the world.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
An engraving of Etchmiadzin in the late 17th century by Jean Chardin (from 1811 edition)․
A 1783 watercolor of the churches of Etchmiadzin by Mikhail Matveevich Ivanov. From left to right: Hripsime, Gayane, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, and Shoghakat.
Painting of the cathedral by an unknown European artist (1870s)
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the national church of Armenia. Part of Oriental Orthodoxy, it is one of the most ancient Christian institutions. The Kingdom of Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion under the rule of King Tiridates III, of the Arsacid dynasty in the early 4th century. According to tradition, the church originated in the missions of Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus of Edessa in the 1st century. St. Gregory the Illuminator was the first official primate of the church. It is sometimes referred to as the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Armenian Church or Armenian Gregorian Church.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Baptism of Tiridates III
Tatev Monastery in Armenia, Syunik
Procession of Armenian priests.