St. Hripsime Church is one of the most striking examples of the religious architecture of Armenia's early medieval. The Church in 618, was founded Komitas Akhtsetsi in place previously located here the mausoleum of article IV, which contained the remains of the Martyr St. Hripsime.

The history of the Martyr is closely connected with the history of this Church. In 301 of the Roman monastery of St. Paul in Armenia Gayane came 37 young Christian girls. Hripsime was one of them. The girl was so beautiful that won the heart of a Roman Emperor, who offered her to become his wife. Rhipsime refused the Emperor and together with her friends hid in Alexandria. It was here them was the mother of God, showing the way to Armenia. The king of Armenia - Tiridates III, learning about the history of girls and the beauty Hripsime, as well as the Roman Governor wanted to take her to wife. However, the girl refused him, saying that she belongs only to Christ. Tiridates III was very angry at this answer, and ordered to kill all the girls, including Hripsime.

Punishment of girls did not relieve the soul of the Armenian king. After the incident, Tiridates III was possessed. From the madness of the king healed by St. Gregory the Illuminator, whose relics are now kept in the monastery. Tiridates III believed in the power of the Christian faith and made Christianity the state religion of Armenia.

St. Hripsime Church is a masterpiece of early Christian architecture. This is a simple, and at the same time majestic and slim construction. The temple has a rectangular base. In 1790, the Church built a two-story belfry. In the temple you can see the inlaid mother-of-pearl patronal gate 1741 Under the altar is the crypt, where according to legend was buried Saint Hripsime.