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Vagharshapat

40°10′22″N 44°17′33″E / 40.17278°N 44.29250°E / 40.17278; 44.29250

Vagharshapat
Վաղարշապատ
City
Vagharshapat
Coordinates: 40°10′22″N 44°17′33″E / 40.17278°N 44.29250°E / 40.17278; 44.29250
Country Armenia
Marz (Province)Armavir
Founded685 BC
Government
 • MayorDiana Gasparyan
Area
 • Total40 km2 (20 sq mi)
Elevation
853 m (2,799 ft)
Population
 (2011 census)
 • Total46,540
 • Estimate 
(1 January 2019)
46,200[1]
 • Density1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+4 (AMT)
Area code0231
Websiteejmiatsin.am
Sources: Population[2]
Official nameCathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Includes
CriteriaCultural: (ii)(iii)
Reference1011
Inscription2000 (24th Session)
Area74.3 ha (184 acres)

Vagharshapat (Armenian: Վաղարշապատ pronounced [vɑʁɑɾʃɑˈpɑt]) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about 18 km (11 mi) west of the capital Yerevan, and 10 km (6 mi) north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is commonly known as Ejmiatsin (also spelled Echmiadzin or Etchmiadzin, Էջմիածին, pronounced [ɛt͡ʃʰmjɑˈt͡sin] ), which was its official name between 1945 and 1995.[3] It is still commonly used colloquially and in official bureaucracy, a case of dual naming.[4]

The city is best known as the location of Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is thus unofficially known in Western sources as a "holy city"[5][6] and in Armenia as the country's "spiritual capital".[7] It was one of the major cities and a capital of the ancient Kingdom of Greater Armenia.[8] Reduced to a small town by the early 20th century, it experienced large expansion during the Soviet period becoming, effectively, a suburb of Yerevan.[9][10] Its population stands just over 37,000 based on 2016 estimates.

Etymology edit

According to Movses Khorenatsi, the area of Vagharshapat was known as Artimed (Արտիմէդ), derived from the ancient Greek deity Artemis. Later, it was renamed Avan Vardgesi (Աւան Վարդգէսի, "Town of Vardges") or Vardgesavan (Վարդգէսաւան) by Prince Vardges Manouk who rebuilt the settlement near the shores of Kasagh River, during the reign of King Orontes I Sakavakyats of Armenia (570–560 BC). However, in his first book, Wars of Justinian, the Byzantine historian Procopius refers to the city as Valashabad (Balashabad), named after king Vologases I of Armenia. The name evolved into its later form by the shift of the medial l into a gh, which is common in the Armenian language. Movses Khorenatsi mentioned that the town of Vardges was entirely rebuilt and fenced by King Vagharsh I to become known as Norakaghak (Նորաքաղաք, "New City") and later Vagharshapat.

Ejmiatsin (Etchmiadzin, Ēĵmiacin) literally means "the descent of the Only-Begotten" or "the Only-Begotten descended" (from echichnel “the descent” and miatsin “the Only-Begotten”),[11] referring to how St. Gregory had a vision of Jesus (the Only-Begotten Son of God) descending to the place and marking it as where Gregory should erect churches.[12][13]

History edit

Early history edit

The territory of ancient Vagharshapat was inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC. Many sites, such as Metsamor Castle, Shresh hill and Mokhrablur hill date back to the neolithic period. The first written records about Vagharshapat were found in the inscriptions left by the Urartian king Rusa II (685–645 BC), where it was mentioned as Kuarlini (Կուարլինի). The inscription found in the archaeological site of ancient Vagharshapat cites to a water canal opened by king Rusa II, between Ildaruni river (Hrazdan River) and the valley of Kuarlini.

According to 5th-century writer Movses Khorenatsi, the oldest name of Vagharshapat was Artimed (Արտիմէդ), derived from the ancient Greek deity Artemis. Later, it was renamed Avan Vardgesi (Աւան Վարդգէսի, "Town of Vardges") or Vardgesavan (Վարդգէսաւան) after being rebuilt by prince Vardges Manouk near the shores of Kasagh River, during the reign of king Orontes I Sakavakyats of Armenia (570–560 BC).

In the first half of the 2nd century AD, under the reign of the Armenian Arsacid king Vagharsh I of Armenia (117–144), the old town of Vardgesavan was renovated and renamed Vagharshapat (Վաղարշապատ). In his first book Wars of Justinian, the Byzantine historian Procopius has cited to the city as Valashabad (Balashabad), named after king Valash (Balash) of Armenia. The name evolved into its later form by the shift in the medial L into a Gh, which is common in the Armenian language. Movses Khorenatsi mentioned that the Town of Vardges was entirely rebuilt and fenced by king Vagharsh I to become known as Norakaghak (Նորաքաղաք, "New City") and later Vagharshapat.

 
The remains of the 7th-century Cathedral of Zvartnots

Vagharshapat has served as the capital of the Arsacid Kingdom of Armenia between 120 AD and 330 AD. After embracing Christianity as a state religion in Armenia in 301, Vagharshapat was gradually called Ejmiatsin (Armenian: Էջմիածին), after the name of the Mother Cathedral; the seat of the Armenian Catholicosate, which is considered one of the oldest religious organizations in the world. As a spiritual centre of the entire Armenian nation, Vagharshapat has grown up rapidly and developed as an important centre of education and culture. The city was home to one of the oldest educational institutions in Armenia founded by Mesrop Mashtots.

The political capital of the Armenian kingdom was transferred to the city of Dvin in 336.

Middle Ages edit

 
Kurds and Persians attacking Vagharshapat

Vagharshapat maintained its status as the country's most important city until the fall of the Arsacid Kingdom in 428. The city gradually lost its importance under the Persian rule, specifically when the seat of the Catholicosate was transferred to Dvin in 452. However, the first manuscript library in Armenia was founded in 480 in Vagharshapat.

The Armenian Church rejected the Council of Chalcedon (451) because they believed the Chalcedonian christology was too similar to Nestorianism; however, some Armenian bishops who were present in the territories of Roman Armenia signed the Council's documents and also accepted Pope Leo I's 458 encyclical mandating adherence to the Chalcedonian Definition. In Persarmenia, the Persian Nestorian Church supported the spread of Nestorianism, which the Armenian Church had previously declared heretical and saw as a threat to the independence of their Church. Peter the Iberian, a Georgian prince, also strongly opposed the Chalcedonian Creed.[14] Thus, in 491, Catholicos Babken I of Armenia, along with the Albanian and Iberian bishops met in Vagharshapat and issued a condemnation of the Chalcedonian Definition.[15]

In 587 during the reign of emperor Maurice, Vagharshapat (then called Valarshapat) and much of Armenia came under Roman administration after the Romans defeated the Sassanid Persian Empire at the battle of the Blarathon.

In 658 AD, Vagharshapat, along with the rest of the Armenian highland, was conquered by the Arabs. The city was briefly revived between the 9th and 11th centuries under the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia, before being overrun by the Byzantines in 1045 and later by the Seljuks in 1064.

In the middle of the 13th century, Vagharshapat became part of the Ilkhanate of the Mongol Empire. During the last quarter of the 14th century the Aq Qoyunlu Sunni Oghuz Turkic tribe took over Armenia, including Vagharshapat.

 
Engraving of Etchmiadzin by Jean Chardin, 1670s
 
View of Etchmiadzin by Russian painter Mikhail Ivanov, 1783

The influence of Vagharshapat waned between 1045 and 1441, when the seat of the Armenian Catholicosate was transferred from the Cilician city of Sis back to Etchmiadzin.

Early modern period edit

Between 1502 and 1828, Armenia became part of the Persian state under the rule of Safavid, Afsharid and Qajar dynasties, with short periods of Ottoman rule between 1578 and 1603 and later between 1722 and 1736.

In 1828, after the Russo-Persian War, Vagharshapat —as a part of the Erivan Khanate— was handed over to the Russian Empire as a result of the Treaty of Turkmenchay signed on 21 February 1828.

In their 1833 book Eli Smith and H. G. O. Dwight described Vagharshapat, then a village, as follows: "It presents nothing but a crowded collection of mud cabins, perhaps 500 in number."[16]

With the establishment of the Erivan Governorate in 1850, Vagharshapat became the centre of the newly formed Echmiadzinsky Uyezd.

Present day edit

 
Soviet-era World War II memorial

Armenia enjoyed a short period of independence between 1918 and 1920 before falling to the Bolshevik 11th Red Army and becoming part of the Soviet Union. In 1925, the new plan of rebuilding the modern town was introduced by architect Alexander Tamanian. It was finally completed between 1939 and 1943. In 1945, the town of Vagharshapat was officially renamed Etchmiadzin by the Soviet government.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the town has witnessed a massive wave of construction, including residential buildings and industrial plants. By the end of the 1960s, the historical monuments of the town; including the religious complex of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Saint Hripsime Church, Saint Gayane Church and the surrounding area of Zvartnots Cathedral, were entirely rehabilitated.[17]

After the independence of Armenia, the town was officially renamed Vagharshapat in 1995. However, the town is still popularly known as Ejmiatsin.

In October 2018, Diana Gasparyan, who was nominated by the Civil Contract Party, was elected mayor of the city and the country's first ever female mayor.[18]

 
Veharan

Geography and climate edit

 
Map of modern-day Vagharshapat

Vagharshapat is the largest satellite-city of Yerevan and the 4th largest in Armenia by population. It is located to the west of Yerevan in the basin of the Kasagh River, in the northeastern extremity of Ararat plain, and very close to Zvartnots International Airport.

According to Moses of Chorene's History of Armenia and as a result of several archaeological researches conducted in the area, the most probable location of the ancient city of Vagharshapat is the area of Shresh Hill near Kasagh River.[19]

Shresh Hill or the Kond of Ghugo, as it was called by the local population, is only 500 metres (1,600 feet) away to the northeast of modern-day Vagharshapat, on the way to Oshakan. It is an artificial hill and has a diameter of 123 metres (404 feet) long. It was first excavated in 1870. In 1913 and 1928, the area was excavated by archaeologist Yervand Lalayan. Large-scale excavations were conducted around the hill and the nearby sites of Metsamor and Mokhrablur between 1945 and 1950.

Historically, Vagharshapat is at the heart of the Armenian Highland, in Aragatsotn canton (Armenian: Արագածոտն գաւառ Aragatsotn gavar, not to be confused with the current Aragatsotn Province) of Ayrarat province, within Armenia Major.

The city has an average elevation of 853 metres (2,799 feet) above sea level. The climate is cold semi-arid (Köppen climate classification BSk).

Climate data for Vagharshapat
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.6
(34.9)
4.4
(39.9)
11.6
(52.9)
19.0
(66.2)
24.4
(75.9)
28.8
(83.8)
33.1
(91.6)
32.5
(90.5)
28.4
(83.1)
20.5
(68.9)
12.4
(54.3)
4.9
(40.8)
18.5
(65.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.9
(26.8)
−0.5
(31.1)
5.9
(42.6)
12.5
(54.5)
17.4
(63.3)
21.4
(70.5)
25.4
(77.7)
25.0
(77.0)
20.4
(68.7)
13.5
(56.3)
6.8
(44.2)
0.6
(33.1)
12.1
(53.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −7.3
(18.9)
−5.3
(22.5)
0.2
(32.4)
6.1
(43.0)
10.5
(50.9)
14.1
(57.4)
17.8
(64.0)
17.5
(63.5)
12.4
(54.3)
6.5
(43.7)
1.2
(34.2)
−3.6
(25.5)
5.8
(42.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 20
(0.8)
22
(0.9)
27
(1.1)
36
(1.4)
51
(2.0)
29
(1.1)
16
(0.6)
12
(0.5)
14
(0.6)
29
(1.1)
25
(1.0)
20
(0.8)
301
(11.9)
Source: Climate-Data.org [20]

Demographics edit

Vagharshapat is the largest urban community of Armavir Province. However, the population of the town has gradually declined since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The majority of the town's population are ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Armavir based in the nearby town of Armavir. Between 1996 and 2014, the Holy Mother of God Church of Vagharshapat has served as the seat of the diocese. Opened in 1767 by Catholicos Simeon I, the church is located at the centre of Vagharshapat, north of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.[21]

Here is a population timeline of Vagharshapat since 1830:[22]

Date Population Note(s)
1830[23] 2,175 the fourth largest in the Armenian Oblast
1831 100% Armenian[24]
1873 2,787
c. 1891[25] 3,000 overwhelmingly populated by Armenians
1897[26] 5,267 94.8% Armenians
1908[27] 3,283 Mostly Armenian
1914 5,755
1919 16,886
1926[28] 8,436 99.1% Armenians
1931 8,349
1959[29] 19,560
1968[29] 27,100
1976 42,000[30]–44,040
1990[29] 60,000
2001[31] 51,280 de facto population
56,388 de jure population
2004 56,400
2011[31] 46,540 de facto population

Landmarks edit

The Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin is found in the complex surrounded with many other structures built throughout the centuries. Most buildings are of great architectural significance, such as the old and new Pontifical Residences, the Chancellery or the Divanatoon, the Gate of King Trdat, Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury Museum (1982), Khrimian Museum, Yeremian Monastic cells, the old Seminary building, the Clock Tower, the Bookstore, etc.

Gevorgian Seminary is a theological college of the Armenian Apostolic Church founded by Catholicos Gevork IV in 1874 within the complex of the Mother See. Apart from the Mother Cathedral, Vagharshapat is home to many other important Armenian churches and cathedrals. The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, the Churches of Saint Hripsimé, Saint Gayane and Saint Shoghakat, and the archaeological site of Zvartnots are listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

UNESCO World Heritage Site edit

 
Etchmiadzin Cathedral

In 2000, the churches of Vagharshapat, together with the nearby ruin of Zvartnots Cathedral, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Principal churches include:

  • Etchmiadzin Cathedral (Armenian: Մայր Տաճար Սուրբ Էջմիածին Mayr Tachar Surp Ejmiatsin) – The "Mother Cathedral" was built by Gregory the Illuminator as a vaulted basilica in 301–303, when Armenia had just adopted Christianity as a state religion,[32] making it one of the oldest churches in the world.[33] The church was repeatedly enlarged, notably in 480, 618 and 1658.
  • Saint Hripsime Church – The church was erected in 618 by Catholicos Gomidas atop an existing mausoleum containing the remains of the martyred Saint Hripsimé. According to the 17th century Armenian historian Arakel of Tabriz, when the church was renovated during 1651–1653 by Catholicos Philip I, a cross was placed on top of the roof and a small portico was added to the western side. It is one of the few churches in Armenian that remained active during the Soviet period.
  • Saint Gayane Church – Built in 630 by Catholicos Ezra I, Saint Gayane is a three-nave, domed basilica with an octagonal drum resting on four internal pillars that divide the interior of the church into three. Its design remained unchanged despite partial renovations of the dome and some ceilings in 1652.
  • Shoghakat Church – Meaning drop of light, Shoghakat is a single-nave domed basilica, built and completed in 1694 by prince Aghamal Sorotetsi during the period of Catholicos Nahabed I. It is built with red and black tufa stones, erected on the remains of a 6th-century basilica. The remains of a 4th-century small chapel could be seen at the southwestern end of Saint Shoghakat Church.[34]

Culture edit

 
Komitas palace of culture in Vagharshapat
 
Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Library

Vagharshapat is the cultural center of Armavir and one of the important centers of the entire republic. The Komitas Palace of Culture is operating in the town since 1957, while the Ejmiatsin National Gallery is operating since 1970.

The town is also home to a number of museums including the Vagharshapat Ethnographic Museum, Khoren Ter-Harutyunyan Museum and Gallery, Mher Abeghian Museum and Gallery, and Hovhannes Hovhannisyan House-museum. However, the most prominent museums of Vagharshapat are located within the Mother See complex, including:

  • Etchmiadzin Cathedral Museum opened in 1869 by Catholicos George IV,
  • The Catholicosal Museum within the old pontifical residence or Hin Veharan built in 1738–1741 and serves as Catholicosal Museum since 1968.[35]
  • Khrimian Museum: built and opened in 1896 by Catholicos Mkrtich I of Van. It was recently renovated to become a museum of art.[36]
  • Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury House: opened on 11 October 1982, designed by architect Baghdasar Arzoumanian. The museum is home to treasures of the Armenian Church throughout history.
  • Ruben Sevak Museum: opened in 2013 within the Ghazarapat building of the Mother See.

The Mother See is also home to the Pontifical Bookstore operating since 1962, and the *Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository opened in 2012.[37][38][39]

The town celebrates the "Ejmiatsin Day" annually since 2008 in Vagharshapat on 8 October. According to the old Armenian tradition, Mesrop Mashtots brought the newly created Armenian alphabet to Vagharshapat on 8 October 405.[40]

Monuments edit

Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
UNESCO World Heritage Site
CriteriaCultural: ii, iii
Reference1011
Inscription2000 (24th Session)
Area74.3 ha
 
Etchmiadzin Cathedral

Etchmiadzin Cathedral(303), Saint Hripsime Church(618), Saint Gayane Church(630), and Zvartnots Cathedral(652) in most known Church buildings of Armenian Architecture. All these churches are masterpieces of Armenian architecture that have had a great influence on the architecture of the world. For example, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, which is considered the oldest cathedral in the world, which inspired architects in different eras.

 
Saint Hripsime Church
 
Saint Gayane Church
 
Zvartnots Cathedral

Other churches Shoghakat Church(1694) and Holy Mother of God Church(1764) were also important churches for Vagharshapat. Now in Metsamor site(4th millennium–8th century BC), statues of vishaps were built there, most of which have survived to this day

Transportation edit

 
Smart bus stop
 
Vagarshapat-Yerevan buses introduced in 2018

Vagharshapat is connected with Yerevan and southern Armenia through the M-5 Motorway, while the M-3 Motorway connects the town with northern Armenia.

The Zvartnots International Airport of Yerevan is located only 10 kilometres (6 miles) east of Vagharshapat.

Being located 20 km west of the capital Yerevan, Vagharshapat is connected with the capital city with public vans, locally known as marshrutka. These vehicles used to be mainly Russian-made GAZelle vans with 13 seats. However, they have changed since 2018. The Vagharshapat-Yerevan buses have regular trips every day from 7 am to 9 pm and cost 300 Armenian drams.[41] The route starts from the station near Echmiadzin State College after Vardges Hamazaspyan and finishes at the end of Mashtots Avenue, near to Matenadaran. Except for the Vagharshapat-Yerevan buses, taxis designed specifically for Vagharshapat-Yerevan trips also operate. Taxis start the route from the center of Vagharshapat and finish at the station near to Blue Mosque. The current rate of the Vagharshapat-Yerevan taxis is 500 Armenian drams per person. Currently, there are 2 smart bus stops in the city.

Economy edit

Industry edit

Vagharshapat was home to the 1st paper factory in the history of Armenia. In 1780, Catholicos Simeon I of Yerevan founded the Etchmiadzin Paper Factory which served for 6 years.

Under the Soviet rule, the town was turned into an important industrial centre. It was home to 4 major industrial firms specialized in the production of military technology. However, the productivity of the plants declined after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Currently, the industry of the town is mainly based on food-processing. The largest industrial firms of the town are the Ejmiatsin Instrument Making Factory founded in 1966, the E.P.G. Ejmiatsin Cannery founded in 1969, the Ejmiatsin Kat dairy factory founded in 1997, the Sonimol plant for grains founded in 2001, the Ejmiatsin wine brandy and vodka factory founded in 2005, and the Ekologia V.K.H. biological waste destruction plant founded in 2009.[42]

 
Center of Vagharshapat

Tourism edit

Being the spiritual centre of the Armenian nation worldwide, Vagharshapat is a major tourist destination for Armenians as well as foreign visitors. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots Cathedral, Saint Hripsime Church, Saint Gayane Church and Shoghakat Church, grouped overall as the Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots.

The Machanents Touristic Centre of Vagharshapat provides a unique facility for the visitors of the town. The complex houses a cultural centre with small theatre, pub and jazz club, traditional cuisine, and a boutique hotel.[43] The Zvartnots hotel and casino complex is located at the eastern entrance of the town.

Education edit

 
Gevorkian Seminary, opened in 1874

Gevorkian Theological Seminary is one of the most significant educational institutions of Armenia. Other educational institutions include the Grigor Lusavorich University and the intermediate college of vocational education.

 
Karekin I Centre of Theology and Armenology

The Karekin I Centre of Theology and Armenology is also functioning in the town since 2000.

As of 2009, Vagharshapat is home to 14 public secondary schools, 8 kindergartens and 2 musical academies.[44]

The new complex of Eurnekian School of the Mother See was opened in September 2017.

Sport edit

FC Vagharshapat was the town's only football club, made its debut in the Armenian Premier League as Zvartnots Echmiadzin in 1992. However, it was dissolved in early 2006 and is currently inactive from professional football. The Etchmiadzin Stadium located immediately to the south of the Mother See complex, is able to hold up to 3,000 spectators.

In October 2016, the Football Federation of Armenia has launched the construction of a football academy at the southern suburb of the town, on the Vagharshapat-Margara motorway. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 12 April 2017, was attended by President Serzh Sargsyan, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and FFA President Ruben Hayrapetyan. With an approximate cost of US$2 million, the complex will occupy an area of 55,601 square metres (598,484 square feet) and is expected to be completed by October 2017. The project is being jointly financed by the FFA, UEFA and FIFA.[45][46]

A new sport school is currently under construction in Vagharshapat since 2015, with a cost of more than US$1 million. The project is due to be completed in 2019.[47]

The nearby village of Aknalich (10 km south of Vagharshapat) is famous for the Ara and Aytsemnik equestrian centre.

International relations edit

Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin) has been a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC)[48] since 2007.[49]

Twin towns – sister cities edit

Vagharshapat is twinned with:[50]

Friendly cities edit

Vagharshapat also cooperates with:

Notable people edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The Demographic Handbook of Armenia, 2019 / Statistical Committee of Armenia".
  2. ^ "Armstats:Population" (PDF). Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  3. ^ (in Armenian). Armavir Province: Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014. ...Վաղարշապատ (1945-1995թթ. կոչվել է Էջմիածին) քաղաքը...
  4. ^ Էջմիածի՞ն, թե՞ Վաղարշապատ. Aravot (in Armenian). 26 October 2010.
  5. ^ Ring, Trudy; Watson, Noelle; Schellinger, Paul, eds. (1994). International Dictionary of Historic Places: Middle East and Africa, Volume 4. Taylor & Francis. p. 250. The holy city of Echmiadzin, where the Christian church in Armenia first began...
  6. ^ Stransky, Thomas F.; Sheerin, John B. (1982). Doing the Truth in Charity: Statements of Pope Paul VI, Popes John Paul I, John Paul II, and the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, 1964-1980. Paulist Press. p. 230. ...from the holy city of Etchmiadzin...
  7. ^ Համայն հայոց հոգևոր մայրաքաղաքը 2700 տարեկան է, նշվեց Էջմիածնի տոնը (ֆոտոշարք) (in Armenian). Public Radio of Armenia. 8 October 2015.
  8. ^ James R. Russell. Zoroastrianism in Armenia. — Harvard University Press, 1987. — P. 118.
  9. ^ Emin, Gevorg (1981). Seven songs about Armenia. Progress. p. 106. ...Ashtarak, Artashat, Etchmiadzin and Abovian because they have become suburbs of Yerevan.
  10. ^ Bloomfield, Paul (16 May 2015). "Armenia: mountains, monasteries and a glimpse of the land of Noah". The Times. Our first port of call was Ejmiatsin, a suburb of Yerevan and seat of the Katholikos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
  11. ^ Grigoryan, Rachik (1969). Echmiadzin. Novosti Press Agency Publishing House. Echmiadzin is the Armenian for "the descent (echichnel) of the only begotten (miatsin)"
  12. ^ The Life and Times of S. Gregory the Illuminator. Rivingtons. 1868. p. 303.
  13. ^ Nicholson, Oliver (2018). The Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity. Oxford University Press. p. 519. ISBN 978-0-19-256246-3.
  14. ^ Stopka, Krzysztof (16 December 2016). Armenia Christiana: Armenian Religious Identity and the Churches of Constantinople and Rome (4th–15th Century). Wydawnictwo UJ. pp. 62–. ISBN 978-83-233-9555-3.
  15. ^ Zvartnots and the Origins of Christian Architecture in Armenia, W. Eugene Kleinbauer, The Art Bulletin, Vol. 54, No. 3 (September 1972): 261.
  16. ^ Smith, Eli; Dwight, H. G. O. (1833). Researches of the Rev. E. Smith and Rev. H.G.O. Dwight in Armenia: Including a Journey Through Asia Minor, and into Georgia and Persia, with a Visit to the Nestorian and Chaldean Christians of Oormiah and Salmas, Volume 2. Crocker and Brewster. p. 93.
  17. ^ Historical review
  18. ^ Armenia elects first female mayor
  19. ^ Ejmiatsin: History[dead link]
  20. ^ "Climate: Vagharshapat". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Էջմիածնի Սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի". armaviritem.am.
  22. ^ [Republic of Armenia settlements dictionary] (PDF) (in Armenian). Yerevan: Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia. 2008. p. 186. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2018.
  23. ^ Hakobyan, Tatul (10 December 2015). . ANI Armenian Research Center (in Armenian). ANI Foundation for Armenian Studies. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  24. ^ Hakobyan, Tatul (12 March 2022). "Արմավիրի շրջանի գյուղերը 1831 թվականին" [Armavir region villages in 1831]. ANI Armenian Research Center. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  25. ^ "Вагаршапат". Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary Volume V (in Russian). 1891. p. 336.
  26. ^ "Демоскоп Weekly - Приложение. Справочник статистических показателей". demoscope.ru.
  27. ^ [Caucasian calendar for 1910] (in Russian) (65th ed.). Tiflis: Tipografiya kantselyarii Ye.I.V. na Kavkaze, kazenny dom. 1910. p. 210. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Эчмиадзинский уезд 1926". ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru.
  29. ^ a b c "Հայաստանի Հանրապետության բնակավայրերի բառարան" (PDF). Armenian State Cadaste. 2008. p. 186.
  30. ^ "Էջմիածին [Ejmiatsin]". Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia Volume 5 (in Armenian). 1978. p. 64.
  31. ^ a b "Microsoft Word - 57 PAGE.doc" (PDF). Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  32. ^ Edwards, Robert W., "Ēĵmiacin" (2016). The Eerdmans Encyclopedia of Early Christian Art and Archaeology, ed., Paul Corby Finney. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing. pp. 455–456. ISBN 978-0-8028-9016-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Kropotkin, Peter Alexeivitch; Bealby, John Thomas (1911). "Echmiadzin" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). pp. 883–884.
  34. ^ . Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  35. ^ Old pontifical residence
  36. ^ Khrimian Museum
  37. ^ Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository
  38. ^ Bookstore
  39. ^ "The Armenian Church - Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածին". www.armenianchurch.org.
  40. ^ "Hetq online: Etchmiadzin Day Celebrated Today". Hetq.am. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  41. ^ N5 եւ N203 երթուղիների հակամարտությունը շարունակվում է. մեկը մյուսի պատճառով վնասներ է կրում
  42. ^ "Բժշկական թափոնների վնասազերծման գործարան Էջմիածնում - Հետք - Լուրեր, հոդվածներ, հետաքննություններ".
  43. ^ "Ծանոթ-անծանոթ քաղաքը՝ Էջմիածին".
  44. ^ . Caa.am. Archived from the original on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  45. ^ "ՀՖՖ-ն Արմավիրի մարզում իրականացնելու է ֆուտբոլի զարգացման խոշոր ներդրումային ծրագրեր".
  46. ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Armavir marz - Domestic visits - Updates - The President of the Republic of Armenia [the official site]". www.president.am.
  47. ^ "ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆԸ ՖՈՒՏԲՈԼԻ ԱԿԱԴԵՄԻԱ ԿՈՒՆԵՆԱ".
  48. ^ "Echmiatsin, Arménie" (in French). OVPM. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  49. ^ (in Russian). Municipality of Ejmiatsin. 10 June 2015. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  50. ^ "Sister Cities". Municipality of Ejmiatsin. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  51. ^ Official Website of the Municipality of Ejmiatsin
  52. ^ "Sister cities". ejmiatsin.am. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  53. ^ "Sister cities". HyeTert. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.

External links edit

  • Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots UNESCO Collection on Google Arts and Culture
  •   Media related to Vagharshapat at Wikimedia Commons
  •   Vagharshapat travel guide from Wikivoyage
  • Kropotkin, Peter Alexeivitch; Bealby, John Thomas (1911). "Echmiadzin" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). pp. 883–884.

vagharshapat, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, november, 201. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Vagharshapat news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message Etchmiadzin Echmiadzin and Ejmiatsin redirect here For other uses see Etchmiadzin disambiguation 40 10 22 N 44 17 33 E 40 17278 N 44 29250 E 40 17278 44 29250 Vagharshapat ՎաղարշապատCityEtchmiadzin CathedralGevorgian SeminarySt HripsimeSt GayaneShoghakatZvartnots Cathedral and Mount AraratFlagSealVagharshapatCoordinates 40 10 22 N 44 17 33 E 40 17278 N 44 29250 E 40 17278 44 29250Country ArmeniaMarz Province ArmavirFounded685 BCGovernment MayorDiana GasparyanArea Total40 km2 20 sq mi Elevation853 m 2 799 ft Population 2011 census Total46 540 Estimate 1 January 2019 46 200 1 Density1 200 km2 3 000 sq mi Time zoneUTC 4 AMT Area code0231Websiteejmiatsin amSources Population 2 UNESCO World Heritage SiteOfficial nameCathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of ZvartnotsIncludesMother Cathedral of Echmiatsin and surrounding constructions Church Saint Gayaneh and surrounding buildings Cemetery of Congregation Saint Hripsimeh Church St Shoghakat Church Archaeological site of Zvartnots with ruins of the Temple the Royal Palace and other constructionsCriteriaCultural ii iii Reference1011Inscription2000 24th Session Area74 3 ha 184 acres Vagharshapat Armenian Վաղարշապատ pronounced vɑʁɑɾʃɑˈpɑt is the 4th largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province located about 18 km 11 mi west of the capital Yerevan and 10 km 6 mi north of the closed Turkish Armenian border It is commonly known as Ejmiatsin also spelled Echmiadzin or Etchmiadzin Էջմիածին pronounced ɛt ʃʰmjɑˈt sin which was its official name between 1945 and 1995 3 It is still commonly used colloquially and in official bureaucracy a case of dual naming 4 The city is best known as the location of Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church It is thus unofficially known in Western sources as a holy city 5 6 and in Armenia as the country s spiritual capital 7 It was one of the major cities and a capital of the ancient Kingdom of Greater Armenia 8 Reduced to a small town by the early 20th century it experienced large expansion during the Soviet period becoming effectively a suburb of Yerevan 9 10 Its population stands just over 37 000 based on 2016 estimates Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 2 1 Early history 2 2 Middle Ages 2 3 Early modern period 2 4 Present day 3 Geography and climate 4 Demographics 5 Landmarks 5 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site 6 Culture 7 Monuments 8 Transportation 9 Economy 9 1 Industry 9 2 Tourism 10 Education 11 Sport 12 International relations 12 1 Twin towns sister cities 12 2 Friendly cities 13 Notable people 14 See also 15 References 16 External linksEtymology editAccording to Movses Khorenatsi the area of Vagharshapat was known as Artimed Արտիմէդ derived from the ancient Greek deity Artemis Later it was renamed Avan Vardgesi Աւան Վարդգէսի Town of Vardges or Vardgesavan Վարդգէսաւան by Prince Vardges Manouk who rebuilt the settlement near the shores of Kasagh River during the reign of King Orontes I Sakavakyats of Armenia 570 560 BC However in his first book Wars of Justinian the Byzantine historian Procopius refers to the city as Valashabad Balashabad named after king Vologases I of Armenia The name evolved into its later form by the shift of the medial l into a gh which is common in the Armenian language Movses Khorenatsi mentioned that the town of Vardges was entirely rebuilt and fenced by King Vagharsh I to become known as Norakaghak Նորաքաղաք New City and later Vagharshapat Ejmiatsin Etchmiadzin Eĵmiacin literally means the descent of the Only Begotten or the Only Begotten descended from echichnel the descent and miatsin the Only Begotten 11 referring to how St Gregory had a vision of Jesus the Only Begotten Son of God descending to the place and marking it as where Gregory should erect churches 12 13 History editEarly history edit The territory of ancient Vagharshapat was inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC Many sites such as Metsamor Castle Shresh hill and Mokhrablur hill date back to the neolithic period The first written records about Vagharshapat were found in the inscriptions left by the Urartian king Rusa II 685 645 BC where it was mentioned as Kuarlini Կուարլինի The inscription found in the archaeological site of ancient Vagharshapat cites to a water canal opened by king Rusa II between Ildaruni river Hrazdan River and the valley of Kuarlini According to 5th century writer Movses Khorenatsi the oldest name of Vagharshapat was Artimed Արտիմէդ derived from the ancient Greek deity Artemis Later it was renamed Avan Vardgesi Աւան Վարդգէսի Town of Vardges or Vardgesavan Վարդգէսաւան after being rebuilt by prince Vardges Manouk near the shores of Kasagh River during the reign of king Orontes I Sakavakyats of Armenia 570 560 BC In the first half of the 2nd century AD under the reign of the Armenian Arsacid king Vagharsh I of Armenia 117 144 the old town of Vardgesavan was renovated and renamed Vagharshapat Վաղարշապատ In his first book Wars of Justinian the Byzantine historian Procopius has cited to the city as Valashabad Balashabad named after king Valash Balash of Armenia The name evolved into its later form by the shift in the medial L into a Gh which is common in the Armenian language Movses Khorenatsi mentioned that the Town of Vardges was entirely rebuilt and fenced by king Vagharsh I to become known as Norakaghak Նորաքաղաք New City and later Vagharshapat nbsp The remains of the 7th century Cathedral of Zvartnots Vagharshapat has served as the capital of the Arsacid Kingdom of Armenia between 120 AD and 330 AD After embracing Christianity as a state religion in Armenia in 301 Vagharshapat was gradually called Ejmiatsin Armenian Էջմիածին after the name of the Mother Cathedral the seat of the Armenian Catholicosate which is considered one of the oldest religious organizations in the world As a spiritual centre of the entire Armenian nation Vagharshapat has grown up rapidly and developed as an important centre of education and culture The city was home to one of the oldest educational institutions in Armenia founded by Mesrop Mashtots The political capital of the Armenian kingdom was transferred to the city of Dvin in 336 Middle Ages edit nbsp Kurds and Persians attacking Vagharshapat Vagharshapat maintained its status as the country s most important city until the fall of the Arsacid Kingdom in 428 The city gradually lost its importance under the Persian rule specifically when the seat of the Catholicosate was transferred to Dvin in 452 However the first manuscript library in Armenia was founded in 480 in Vagharshapat The Armenian Church rejected the Council of Chalcedon 451 because they believed the Chalcedonian christology was too similar to Nestorianism however some Armenian bishops who were present in the territories of Roman Armenia signed the Council s documents and also accepted Pope Leo I s 458 encyclical mandating adherence to the Chalcedonian Definition In Persarmenia the Persian Nestorian Church supported the spread of Nestorianism which the Armenian Church had previously declared heretical and saw as a threat to the independence of their Church Peter the Iberian a Georgian prince also strongly opposed the Chalcedonian Creed 14 Thus in 491 Catholicos Babken I of Armenia along with the Albanian and Iberian bishops met in Vagharshapat and issued a condemnation of the Chalcedonian Definition 15 In 587 during the reign of emperor Maurice Vagharshapat then called Valarshapat and much of Armenia came under Roman administration after the Romans defeated the Sassanid Persian Empire at the battle of the Blarathon In 658 AD Vagharshapat along with the rest of the Armenian highland was conquered by the Arabs The city was briefly revived between the 9th and 11th centuries under the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia before being overrun by the Byzantines in 1045 and later by the Seljuks in 1064 In the middle of the 13th century Vagharshapat became part of the Ilkhanate of the Mongol Empire During the last quarter of the 14th century the Aq Qoyunlu Sunni Oghuz Turkic tribe took over Armenia including Vagharshapat nbsp Engraving of Etchmiadzin by Jean Chardin 1670s nbsp View of Etchmiadzin by Russian painter Mikhail Ivanov 1783 The influence of Vagharshapat waned between 1045 and 1441 when the seat of the Armenian Catholicosate was transferred from the Cilician city of Sis back to Etchmiadzin Early modern period edit Between 1502 and 1828 Armenia became part of the Persian state under the rule of Safavid Afsharid and Qajar dynasties with short periods of Ottoman rule between 1578 and 1603 and later between 1722 and 1736 In 1828 after the Russo Persian War Vagharshapat as a part of the Erivan Khanate was handed over to the Russian Empire as a result of the Treaty of Turkmenchay signed on 21 February 1828 In their 1833 book Eli Smith and H G O Dwight described Vagharshapat then a village as follows It presents nothing but a crowded collection of mud cabins perhaps 500 in number 16 With the establishment of the Erivan Governorate in 1850 Vagharshapat became the centre of the newly formed Echmiadzinsky Uyezd Present day edit nbsp Soviet era World War II memorial Armenia enjoyed a short period of independence between 1918 and 1920 before falling to the Bolshevik 11th Red Army and becoming part of the Soviet Union In 1925 the new plan of rebuilding the modern town was introduced by architect Alexander Tamanian It was finally completed between 1939 and 1943 In 1945 the town of Vagharshapat was officially renamed Etchmiadzin by the Soviet government During the 1950s and 1960s the town has witnessed a massive wave of construction including residential buildings and industrial plants By the end of the 1960s the historical monuments of the town including the religious complex of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Saint Hripsime Church Saint Gayane Church and the surrounding area of Zvartnots Cathedral were entirely rehabilitated 17 After the independence of Armenia the town was officially renamed Vagharshapat in 1995 However the town is still popularly known as Ejmiatsin In October 2018 Diana Gasparyan who was nominated by the Civil Contract Party was elected mayor of the city and the country s first ever female mayor 18 nbsp VeharanGeography and climate edit nbsp Map of modern day Vagharshapat Vagharshapat is the largest satellite city of Yerevan and the 4th largest in Armenia by population It is located to the west of Yerevan in the basin of the Kasagh River in the northeastern extremity of Ararat plain and very close to Zvartnots International Airport According to Moses of Chorene s History of Armenia and as a result of several archaeological researches conducted in the area the most probable location of the ancient city of Vagharshapat is the area of Shresh Hill near Kasagh River 19 Shresh Hill or the Kond of Ghugo as it was called by the local population is only 500 metres 1 600 feet away to the northeast of modern day Vagharshapat on the way to Oshakan It is an artificial hill and has a diameter of 123 metres 404 feet long It was first excavated in 1870 In 1913 and 1928 the area was excavated by archaeologist Yervand Lalayan Large scale excavations were conducted around the hill and the nearby sites of Metsamor and Mokhrablur between 1945 and 1950 Historically Vagharshapat is at the heart of the Armenian Highland in Aragatsotn canton Armenian Արագածոտն գաւառ Aragatsotn gavar not to be confused with the current Aragatsotn Province of Ayrarat province within Armenia Major The city has an average elevation of 853 metres 2 799 feet above sea level The climate is cold semi arid Koppen climate classification BSk Climate data for Vagharshapat Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum C F 1 6 34 9 4 4 39 9 11 6 52 9 19 0 66 2 24 4 75 9 28 8 83 8 33 1 91 6 32 5 90 5 28 4 83 1 20 5 68 9 12 4 54 3 4 9 40 8 18 5 65 2 Daily mean C F 2 9 26 8 0 5 31 1 5 9 42 6 12 5 54 5 17 4 63 3 21 4 70 5 25 4 77 7 25 0 77 0 20 4 68 7 13 5 56 3 6 8 44 2 0 6 33 1 12 1 53 8 Mean daily minimum C F 7 3 18 9 5 3 22 5 0 2 32 4 6 1 43 0 10 5 50 9 14 1 57 4 17 8 64 0 17 5 63 5 12 4 54 3 6 5 43 7 1 2 34 2 3 6 25 5 5 8 42 5 Average precipitation mm inches 20 0 8 22 0 9 27 1 1 36 1 4 51 2 0 29 1 1 16 0 6 12 0 5 14 0 6 29 1 1 25 1 0 20 0 8 301 11 9 Source Climate Data org 20 Demographics editVagharshapat is the largest urban community of Armavir Province However the population of the town has gradually declined since the collapse of the Soviet Union The majority of the town s population are ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Armavir based in the nearby town of Armavir Between 1996 and 2014 the Holy Mother of God Church of Vagharshapat has served as the seat of the diocese Opened in 1767 by Catholicos Simeon I the church is located at the centre of Vagharshapat north of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin 21 Here is a population timeline of Vagharshapat since 1830 22 Date Population Note s 1830 23 2 175 the fourth largest in the Armenian Oblast 1831 100 Armenian 24 1873 2 787 c 1891 25 3 000 overwhelmingly populated by Armenians 1897 26 5 267 94 8 Armenians 1908 27 3 283 Mostly Armenian 1914 5 755 1919 16 886 1926 28 8 436 99 1 Armenians 1931 8 349 1959 29 19 560 1968 29 27 100 1976 42 000 30 44 040 1990 29 60 000 2001 31 51 280 de facto population 56 388 de jure population 2004 56 400 2011 31 46 540 de facto populationLandmarks editThe Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin is found in the complex surrounded with many other structures built throughout the centuries Most buildings are of great architectural significance such as the old and new Pontifical Residences the Chancellery or the Divanatoon the Gate of King Trdat Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury Museum 1982 Khrimian Museum Yeremian Monastic cells the old Seminary building the Clock Tower the Bookstore etc Gevorgian Seminary is a theological college of the Armenian Apostolic Church founded by Catholicos Gevork IV in 1874 within the complex of the Mother See Apart from the Mother Cathedral Vagharshapat is home to many other important Armenian churches and cathedrals The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin the Churches of Saint Hripsime Saint Gayane and Saint Shoghakat and the archaeological site of Zvartnots are listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites UNESCO World Heritage Site edit nbsp Etchmiadzin Cathedral In 2000 the churches of Vagharshapat together with the nearby ruin of Zvartnots Cathedral were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site Principal churches include Etchmiadzin Cathedral Armenian Մայր Տաճար Սուրբ Էջմիածին Mayr Tachar Surp Ejmiatsin The Mother Cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator as a vaulted basilica in 301 303 when Armenia had just adopted Christianity as a state religion 32 making it one of the oldest churches in the world 33 The church was repeatedly enlarged notably in 480 618 and 1658 Saint Hripsime Church The church was erected in 618 by Catholicos Gomidas atop an existing mausoleum containing the remains of the martyred Saint Hripsime According to the 17th century Armenian historian Arakel of Tabriz when the church was renovated during 1651 1653 by Catholicos Philip I a cross was placed on top of the roof and a small portico was added to the western side It is one of the few churches in Armenian that remained active during the Soviet period Saint Gayane Church Built in 630 by Catholicos Ezra I Saint Gayane is a three nave domed basilica with an octagonal drum resting on four internal pillars that divide the interior of the church into three Its design remained unchanged despite partial renovations of the dome and some ceilings in 1652 Shoghakat Church Meaning drop of light Shoghakat is a single nave domed basilica built and completed in 1694 by prince Aghamal Sorotetsi during the period of Catholicos Nahabed I It is built with red and black tufa stones erected on the remains of a 6th century basilica The remains of a 4th century small chapel could be seen at the southwestern end of Saint Shoghakat Church 34 nbsp Etchmiadzin Cathedral opened in 303 nbsp Saint Hripsime Church opened in 618 nbsp Saint Gayane Church opened in 630 nbsp Shoghakat Church opened in 1694 nbsp Zvartnots Cathedral opened in 652Culture edit nbsp Komitas palace of culture in Vagharshapat nbsp Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Library Vagharshapat is the cultural center of Armavir and one of the important centers of the entire republic The Komitas Palace of Culture is operating in the town since 1957 while the Ejmiatsin National Gallery is operating since 1970 The town is also home to a number of museums including the Vagharshapat Ethnographic Museum Khoren Ter Harutyunyan Museum and Gallery Mher Abeghian Museum and Gallery and Hovhannes Hovhannisyan House museum However the most prominent museums of Vagharshapat are located within the Mother See complex including Etchmiadzin Cathedral Museum opened in 1869 by Catholicos George IV The Catholicosal Museum within the old pontifical residence or Hin Veharan built in 1738 1741 and serves as Catholicosal Museum since 1968 35 Khrimian Museum built and opened in 1896 by Catholicos Mkrtich I of Van It was recently renovated to become a museum of art 36 Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury House opened on 11 October 1982 designed by architect Baghdasar Arzoumanian The museum is home to treasures of the Armenian Church throughout history Ruben Sevak Museum opened in 2013 within the Ghazarapat building of the Mother See The Mother See is also home to the Pontifical Bookstore operating since 1962 and the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository opened in 2012 37 38 39 The town celebrates the Ejmiatsin Day annually since 2008 in Vagharshapat on 8 October According to the old Armenian tradition Mesrop Mashtots brought the newly created Armenian alphabet to Vagharshapat on 8 October 405 40 Monuments editCathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of ZvartnotsUNESCO World Heritage SiteCriteriaCultural ii iiiReference1011Inscription2000 24th Session Area74 3 ha nbsp Etchmiadzin Cathedral Etchmiadzin Cathedral 303 Saint Hripsime Church 618 Saint Gayane Church 630 and Zvartnots Cathedral 652 in most known Church buildings of Armenian Architecture All these churches are masterpieces of Armenian architecture that have had a great influence on the architecture of the world For example Etchmiadzin Cathedral which is considered the oldest cathedral in the world which inspired architects in different eras nbsp Saint Hripsime Church nbsp Saint Gayane Church nbsp Zvartnots Cathedral Other churches Shoghakat Church 1694 and Holy Mother of God Church 1764 were also important churches for Vagharshapat Now in Metsamor site 4th millennium 8th century BC statues of vishaps were built there most of which have survived to this dayTransportation edit nbsp Smart bus stop nbsp Vagarshapat Yerevan buses introduced in 2018 Vagharshapat is connected with Yerevan and southern Armenia through the M 5 Motorway while the M 3 Motorway connects the town with northern Armenia The Zvartnots International Airport of Yerevan is located only 10 kilometres 6 miles east of Vagharshapat Being located 20 km west of the capital Yerevan Vagharshapat is connected with the capital city with public vans locally known as marshrutka These vehicles used to be mainly Russian made GAZelle vans with 13 seats However they have changed since 2018 The Vagharshapat Yerevan buses have regular trips every day from 7 am to 9 pm and cost 300 Armenian drams 41 The route starts from the station near Echmiadzin State College after Vardges Hamazaspyan and finishes at the end of Mashtots Avenue near to Matenadaran Except for the Vagharshapat Yerevan buses taxis designed specifically for Vagharshapat Yerevan trips also operate Taxis start the route from the center of Vagharshapat and finish at the station near to Blue Mosque The current rate of the Vagharshapat Yerevan taxis is 500 Armenian drams per person Currently there are 2 smart bus stops in the city Economy editIndustry edit Vagharshapat was home to the 1st paper factory in the history of Armenia In 1780 Catholicos Simeon I of Yerevan founded the Etchmiadzin Paper Factory which served for 6 years Under the Soviet rule the town was turned into an important industrial centre It was home to 4 major industrial firms specialized in the production of military technology However the productivity of the plants declined after the fall of the Soviet Union Currently the industry of the town is mainly based on food processing The largest industrial firms of the town are the Ejmiatsin Instrument Making Factory founded in 1966 the E P G Ejmiatsin Cannery founded in 1969 the Ejmiatsin Kat dairy factory founded in 1997 the Sonimol plant for grains founded in 2001 the Ejmiatsin wine brandy and vodka factory founded in 2005 and the Ekologia V K H biological waste destruction plant founded in 2009 42 nbsp Center of Vagharshapat Tourism edit Being the spiritual centre of the Armenian nation worldwide Vagharshapat is a major tourist destination for Armenians as well as foreign visitors It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Etchmiadzin Cathedral Zvartnots Cathedral Saint Hripsime Church Saint Gayane Church and Shoghakat Church grouped overall as the Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots The Machanents Touristic Centre of Vagharshapat provides a unique facility for the visitors of the town The complex houses a cultural centre with small theatre pub and jazz club traditional cuisine and a boutique hotel 43 The Zvartnots hotel and casino complex is located at the eastern entrance of the town Education edit nbsp Gevorkian Seminary opened in 1874 Gevorkian Theological Seminary is one of the most significant educational institutions of Armenia Other educational institutions include the Grigor Lusavorich University and the intermediate college of vocational education nbsp Karekin I Centre of Theology and ArmenologyThe Karekin I Centre of Theology and Armenology is also functioning in the town since 2000 As of 2009 update Vagharshapat is home to 14 public secondary schools 8 kindergartens and 2 musical academies 44 The new complex of Eurnekian School of the Mother See was opened in September 2017 Sport editFC Vagharshapat was the town s only football club made its debut in the Armenian Premier League as Zvartnots Echmiadzin in 1992 However it was dissolved in early 2006 and is currently inactive from professional football The Etchmiadzin Stadium located immediately to the south of the Mother See complex is able to hold up to 3 000 spectators In October 2016 the Football Federation of Armenia has launched the construction of a football academy at the southern suburb of the town on the Vagharshapat Margara motorway The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 12 April 2017 was attended by President Serzh Sargsyan UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and FFA President Ruben Hayrapetyan With an approximate cost of US 2 million the complex will occupy an area of 55 601 square metres 598 484 square feet and is expected to be completed by October 2017 The project is being jointly financed by the FFA UEFA and FIFA 45 46 A new sport school is currently under construction in Vagharshapat since 2015 with a cost of more than US 1 million The project is due to be completed in 2019 47 The nearby village of Aknalich 10 km south of Vagharshapat is famous for the Ara and Aytsemnik equestrian centre International relations editVagharshapat Etchmiadzin has been a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities OWHC 48 since 2007 49 Twin towns sister cities edit See also List of twin towns and sister cities in Armenia Vagharshapat is twinned with 50 nbsp Fresno United States 2009 nbsp Hadrut Republic of Artsakh 2010 2020 nbsp Issy les Moulineaux France 1989 nbsp Martakert Republic of Artsakh 2010 2023 nbsp Petrozavodsk Russia 2004 nbsp Sergiyev Posad Russia 2010 Friendly cities edit Vagharshapat also cooperates with nbsp Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria 2013 51 nbsp Mtskheta Georgia 2016 52 nbsp Almelo Netherlands 2020 53 Notable people editZacharias II 1520 Catholicos of All Armenians 1515 1520 citation needed Gregory XII 1498 1590 Catholicos of All Armenians 1576 1590 citation needed David IV 1633 Catholicos of All Armenians 1590 1629 citation needed Makar Yekmalyan 1856 1905 composer citation needed Hovhannes Hovhannisyan 1864 1929 poet citation needed Yeghishe Tadevosyan 1870 1936 artist pedagogue Abraham Gyulkhandanyan 1875 1946 politician and historian citation needed Levon Manaseryan 1925 painter citation needed Aram Asatryan 1953 2006 singer citation needed Khoren Gevor 1980 professional boxer citation needed Mihran Harutyunyan 1989 wrestler professional MMA fighter and Olympic Silver Medalist citation needed Andranik Karapetyan 1995 European champion in weightlifting Arman Adikyan 1984 Greco Roman wrestler Siranush Andriasian 1986 professional chess player and three time Armenian champion Sedrak Saroyan 1967 2022 general and MP Andranik Hakobyan professional boxer Hamlet Manukyan gymnast Anahit Mekhitarian opera singerSee also editArmenian Apostolic Church Arsacid dynasty of Armenia Echmiadzin Gospels Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Vologases VReferences edit The Demographic Handbook of Armenia 2019 Statistical Committee of Armenia Armstats Population PDF Retrieved 31 January 2013 Պատմաաշխարհագրական ակնարկ Historical geographic overview in Armenian Armavir Province Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration Archived from the original on 28 February 2014 Retrieved 15 April 2014 Վաղարշապատ 1945 1995թթ կոչվել է Էջմիածին քաղաքը Էջմիածի ն թե Վաղարշապատ Aravot in Armenian 26 October 2010 Ring Trudy Watson Noelle Schellinger Paul eds 1994 International Dictionary of Historic Places Middle East and Africa Volume 4 Taylor amp Francis p 250 The holy city of Echmiadzin where the Christian church in Armenia first began Stransky Thomas F Sheerin John B 1982 Doing the Truth in Charity Statements of Pope Paul VI Popes John Paul I John Paul II and the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity 1964 1980 Paulist Press p 230 from the holy city of Etchmiadzin Համայն հայոց հոգևոր մայրաքաղաքը 2700 տարեկան է նշվեց Էջմիածնի տոնը ֆոտոշարք in Armenian Public Radio of Armenia 8 October 2015 James R Russell Zoroastrianism in Armenia Harvard University Press 1987 P 118 Emin Gevorg 1981 Seven songs about Armenia Progress p 106 Ashtarak Artashat Etchmiadzin and Abovian because they have become suburbs of Yerevan Bloomfield Paul 16 May 2015 Armenia mountains monasteries and a glimpse of the land of Noah The Times Our first port of call was Ejmiatsin a suburb of Yerevan and seat of the Katholikos head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Grigoryan Rachik 1969 Echmiadzin Novosti Press Agency Publishing House Echmiadzin is the Armenian for the descent echichnel of the only begotten miatsin The Life and Times of S Gregory the Illuminator Rivingtons 1868 p 303 Nicholson Oliver 2018 The Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity Oxford University Press p 519 ISBN 978 0 19 256246 3 Stopka Krzysztof 16 December 2016 Armenia Christiana Armenian Religious Identity and the Churches of Constantinople and Rome 4th 15th Century Wydawnictwo UJ pp 62 ISBN 978 83 233 9555 3 Zvartnots and the Origins of Christian Architecture in Armenia W Eugene Kleinbauer The Art Bulletin Vol 54 No 3 September 1972 261 Smith Eli Dwight H G O 1833 Researches of the Rev E Smith and Rev H G O Dwight in Armenia Including a Journey Through Asia Minor and into Georgia and Persia with a Visit to the Nestorian and Chaldean Christians of Oormiah and Salmas Volume 2 Crocker and Brewster p 93 Historical review Armenia elects first female mayor Ejmiatsin History dead link Climate Vagharshapat Climate Data org Retrieved 14 August 2018 Էջմիածնի Սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի armaviritem am Հայաստանի Հանրապետության բնակավայրերի բառարան Republic of Armenia settlements dictionary PDF in Armenian Yerevan Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia 2008 p 186 Archived from the original PDF on 11 March 2018 Hakobyan Tatul 10 December 2015 Հայկական մարզի 1828 1840թթ 1000 ից ավելի բնակիչ ունեցող 10 բնակավայրերը ANI Armenian Research Center in Armenian ANI Foundation for Armenian Studies Archived from the original on 11 December 2015 Retrieved 10 December 2015 Hakobyan Tatul 12 March 2022 Արմավիրի շրջանի գյուղերը 1831 թվականին Armavir region villages in 1831 ANI Armenian Research Center Retrieved 16 September 2022 Vagarshapat Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary Volume V in Russian 1891 p 336 Demoskop Weekly Prilozhenie Spravochnik statisticheskih pokazatelej demoscope ru Kavkazskij kalendar na 1910 god Caucasian calendar for 1910 in Russian 65th ed Tiflis Tipografiya kantselyarii Ye I V na Kavkaze kazenny dom 1910 p 210 Archived from the original on 15 March 2022 Echmiadzinskij uezd 1926 ethno kavkaz narod ru a b c Հայաստանի Հանրապետության բնակավայրերի բառարան PDF Armenian State Cadaste 2008 p 186 Էջմիածին Ejmiatsin Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia Volume 5 in Armenian 1978 p 64 a b Microsoft Word 57 PAGE doc PDF Retrieved 30 April 2018 Edwards Robert W Eĵmiacin 2016 The Eerdmans Encyclopedia of Early Christian Art and Archaeology ed Paul Corby Finney Grand Rapids Michigan William B Eerdmans Publishing pp 455 456 ISBN 978 0 8028 9016 0 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Kropotkin Peter Alexeivitch Bealby John Thomas 1911 Echmiadzin Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 8 11th ed pp 883 884 Yeghishe am Shoghakat Archived from the original on 6 July 2011 Retrieved 22 November 2010 Old pontifical residence Khrimian Museum Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository Bookstore The Armenian Church Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածին www armenianchurch org Hetq online Etchmiadzin Day Celebrated Today Hetq am Retrieved 31 January 2013 N5 եւ N203 երթուղիների հակամարտությունը շարունակվում է մեկը մյուսի պատճառով վնասներ է կրում Բժշկական թափոնների վնասազերծման գործարան Էջմիածնում Հետք Լուրեր հոդվածներ հետաքննություններ Ծանոթ անծանոթ քաղաքը Էջմիածին Union of Communities of Armenia Ejmiatsin Caa am Archived from the original on 11 September 2011 Retrieved 31 January 2013 ՀՖՖ ն Արմավիրի մարզում իրականացնելու է ֆուտբոլի զարգացման խոշոր ներդրումային ծրագրեր LLC Helix Consulting Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Armavir marz Domestic visits Updates The President of the Republic of Armenia the official site www president am ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆԸ ՖՈՒՏԲՈԼԻ ԱԿԱԴԵՄԻԱ ԿՈՒՆԵՆԱ Echmiatsin Armenie in French OVPM Retrieved 31 January 2013 MEZhDUNARODNYE OTNOShENIYa in Russian Municipality of Ejmiatsin 10 June 2015 Archived from the original on 29 September 2020 Retrieved 7 June 2023 Sister Cities Municipality of Ejmiatsin Retrieved 7 June 2023 Official Website of the Municipality of Ejmiatsin Sister cities ejmiatsin am 20 June 2016 Retrieved 21 September 2023 Sister cities HyeTert 29 January 2020 Retrieved 2 July 2020 External links editCathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots UNESCO Collection on Google Arts and Culture nbsp Media related to Vagharshapat at Wikimedia Commons nbsp Vagharshapat travel guide from Wikivoyage Kropotkin Peter Alexeivitch Bealby John Thomas 1911 Echmiadzin Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 8 11th ed pp 883 884 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vagharshapat amp oldid 1217697864, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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