Saint Echmiadzin Day in Armenia

In ancient Armenian, the word “Echmiadzin” means “the only begotten descended”.Saint Echmiadzin is one of the former capitals of Armenia. After the adoption of Christianity in Armenia as the state religion in 301, it became the spiritual center of the Armenian Church.

In ancient Armenian, the word “Echmiadzin” means “the only begotten descended”. According to legend, Holy Echmiadzin was built on the site indicated by Christ St. Echmiadzin. Gregory in a prophetic dream after the baptism of King Trdat. Near the cathedral are the churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, St. Shogakat, dedicated to the memory of virgins killed in the third century by King Trdat for spreading Christianity.

In St. Etchmiadzin with reverence the relics of St. John the Baptist, St. Stephen the First Martyr, St. Apostles Thaddeus, Bartholomew, Andrew the First-Called, Thomas, many saints of the Church and such shrines as a particle of the Tree of the Life-giving and Most Honest Cross of Christ, a particle of the crown of thorns and a spear that pierced Jesus Christ. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to the city to see these and other relics and treasures.

Saint Etchmiadzin Day is celebrated on Sunday, 64 days after the holiday of Holy Easter.