Vagharshapat

Ejmiatsin (Arm: Էջմիածին), Armavir Marz

The Town of Ejmiatsin, now officially known as Vagharshapat is primarily known as the site of the Ejmiatsin Cathedral Compound, which is the headquarter of the Armenian Church.

In addition to the compound, there are the churches of Hripsime, Gayane and Shoghakat.

The town is also known for it's kyufta, a traditional Eastern Armenian dish, and even has a "Kyufta Street", with a number of kyufta specialists.

The relatively unknown city of Etchmiadzin has played a very important role in history and the Christian religion and it is situated close to Yerevan in Armenia in the Armavir province.  Etchmiadzin is the theological capital of Armenia and is also the seat of The Catholicos of All Armenians.  Outside of this very important history, it is a lovely, albeit small town with a rich history, tradition, and many things to do.

The historically-rich city is located about 20 kilometers from the capital city of Yerevan and according to history, two students named Saint Thaddeus and Saint Bartholomew came to Armenia to spread Christianity and wound up in Etchmiadzin.  Before Christianity came to Armenia in 301 AD, the country was Pagan.

Armenia accepted Christianity as a state religion and Saint Gregory the Illuminator, a figure that was once locked up for his religious views and sermons, became the first Armenian Catolicos. Because of these events, Armenia became the first Christian nation in the world and the Armenian church is called Apostolical.