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The oldest cathedral in the world, the symbol of the most authentic faith of the Armenian people, is the Echmiadzin Cathedral, in the town of the same name (also called the city of Vagharshapat) located in the central-southern area of ââArmenia.
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The patriarchal complex of St. Echmiadzin (descent of the Only Begotten) is the most important monument in the city and its history has a legendary flavor: the foundation stone of the temple was laid in 30 AD. by the first Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who wanted to build a church where a pagan temple originally stood.
The construction of the Cathedral took a long time and occurred in several phases, with subsequent additions of new naves and frescoes covering the older parts. Over the centuries, there were also numerous structural interventions that today contribute to the sacred building different architectural styles which enhance its beauty.
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In fact, initially, the Echmiadzin Cathedral was built in wood in the shape of a basilica, then in 483 it was transformed into a cross-shaped building with a dome and, again, in the XNUMXth century it was rebuilt in stone. The first restoration intervention took place in the XNUMXth century with the addition of the current dome and the bell tower on three levels, located at the entrance to the church and richly sculpted.
The interior, although small in size, boasts the ceiling decorated with valuable frescoes depicting an oriental garden overflowing with roses, cypresses and winged cherubs. In the center it stands out the altar, in the exact point where Saint Gregory saw the divine light manifest, with the image of the Madonna and Child surrounded by splendid tapestries.
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The interior decorations are a shine example of Byzantine luxury with various floral ornaments in blue-lilac and red-orange shades. The frescoes were painted by Armenian artisans and represent scenes taken from the Holy Scriptures and over 120 portraits of Saints and Apostles.
The Armenian Cathedral, Unesco World Heritage, is a true treasure chest of art and beauty and, in the back, also houses a priceless treasure: relics which have their roots in the history of Christianity and even a fragment of Noah's Ark. Outside, there is a beautiful quadrangular garden full of colorful and beautiful flowers khatchkar, the "cross-shaped stones" which represent one of the typical artefacts of Armenian religious art.
The heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church also fascinated the star Kim Kardashian who, on the morning of October 7, baptized her three youngest children with her husband Kanye West right here during an emotional ceremony that she will keep in her heart forever.
