The Shoghakat Church (1694)  is one of the most elegant and complete structures of late medieval Armenian architecture. Located in the city of Vagharshapat, west of the Saint Hripsime Temple, the church is noted for its high construction quality and its restrained yet expressive decoration. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. 1. Historical Overview and Tradition The church was built by Prince Aghamal Shorotetsi on the site where, according to tradition, unknown Ch

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the heart of the Armenian people's spiritual life and the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. It is one of the world's oldest Christian cathedrals founded in the early 4th century based on the vision of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. According to tradition the Only Begotten Son of God descended from heaven and pointed to the site of the cathedral with a golden hammer giving rise to the name "Etchmiadzin" (The Descent of the Onl