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Etchmiadzin Cathedral

The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the main building of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. It is the first church building in Armenia, and considered the oldest cathedral in the world. The original church is believed to have been built between 301 and 303 by Gregory the Illuminator, following Armenia's adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It was later seriously damaged and almost completely rebuilt in its current form in 483 by Vahan Mamikonian. Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos until 484. It was restored as catholicosate almost a millennium later in 1441 and remains as such to this day. It has been constantly renovated since the 17th century. Major additions were made by various catholicoi. Diminished during the early Soviet period (1920–30s), Etchmiadzin revived again under Vazgen I in the second half of the 20th century.

Etchmiadzin has been one of the most important locations in Armenia since its foundation. The cathedral complex is called the "Armenian Vatican" for its significance. Along with several important churches located nearby, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.

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