Church · Vagharshapat, Vagharshapat community, Armavir
Saint Hripsime Church
St. Hripsime
Catholicos Komitas's church of 618 on the eastern edge of Vagharshapat, raised over the tomb of the martyr Hripsime on a plan of four apses with niches between them and rooms in the corners.
Where it is
40.1670, 44.3096
Why go
Hripsime has stood largely intact since the 7th century, and its plan — four apses, deep niches between them and corner chambers beneath a windowed drum — influenced many later Armenian churches. Two inscriptions record Komitas as its builder; the one behind the altar came to light under plaster in 1898. Excavated sections beneath the church are displayed under protective glass. A western porch was added in a restoration finished in 1653, with a belfry on top in 1790. The church is a component of the Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots World Heritage property and a popular wedding venue.
Near Saint Hripsime Church
Church
Shoghakat Church
Shoghakat, meaning 'drop of light', is a domed single-nave church of 1694 near Saint Hripsime in Vagharshapat, built by Prince Aghamal Sorotetsi where tradition places the martyrdom of Hripsime's companions.
0 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Church
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
The mother cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Vagharshapat, built according to the chronicler Agathangelos after a vision of St Gregory the Illuminator and rebuilt in 483–484.
2 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Church
Saint Gayane Church
Built in 630 under Catholicos Ezr I within walking distance of Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Saint Gayane joins a three-aisled basilica to a central dome, and its arched western portico shelters the graves of senior clergy.
2 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Church
Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church, Oshakan
The black-tuff basilica in Oshakan built in 1873–79 over the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, creator of the Armenian alphabet, whose tomb lies in a crypt beneath the main altar.
10 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ