The Echmiadzin monastery – one of the main religious sites of Vagharshapat, which is the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the main residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. The temple is located 20 km West of Yerevan.

The history of the Echmiadzin monastery is associated with the baptism of the Armenian king Trdat III. According to the legend, Tiridates III fell in love with a beautiful girl Ripsime, which, together with 37 girls Christians fled to Armenia from the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who wanted Ripsime became his wife. The girl refused Armenian king, after which he was ordered to kill all the girls, including Ripsime. The death of the virgin called Tiridates strong shock. From the madness of the king healed by St. Gregory the Illuminator. And in 303, was built a wooden monastery. With the old Armenian name of the monastery Echmiadzin is translated as "only begotten descended". The construction of the temple was determined Gregory the Illuminator after him in a dream the Lord appeared.

Cathedral of the monastery is the most ancient Christian temple of Armenia. According to legend, the Foundation of this temple was laid in 303, Saint Gregory. According to historical data, the Cathedral was built near the Royal Palace.

Originally the Church had the form of a Basilica, but in the V century Prince Wagane Mamikonian redid it in the form of a cross-domed Church. Modern outline of the Cathedral acquired after the restructuring at the beginning of the VII century, during the reign of Catholicos Komitas and Nerses III the Builder.

In XVII century the Cathedral was built a new dome and a three-tiered bell tower built in front of the Western entrance. In the XVIII century over the southern, Northern and Eastern apses of the temple built six-columned rotunda, making the five-domed Cathedral became the coronation. In the beginning of XVIII century was completed the painting of the Cathedral, the author of which was the artist Nagash Hovnatanian. In the second half of the XVIII century and it was completed by the grandson of Nathan RA. In the twentieth century was carried out major restoration of the temple.

On the territory of the Echmiadzin monastery: monastery refectory (XVII century), gate King Trdat (XVII century), monastery hotel "Catarat" (mid XVIII century), Old (XVIII century) and New (beginning of XX century) the Patriarch's quarters and the Theological Academy of St. Echmiadzin (first half of XX century).