Noravank Monastery - one of the main religious sites Vagharshapat, is the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the main residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. The temple is located 20 kilometers west of Yerevan.

The history of the Echmiadzin monastery is associated with the baptism of the Armenian king Trdat III. According to legend, Trdat III fell in love with a beautiful girl Hripsime, which together with the 37 girls, Christians fled to Armenia by the Roman emperor Diocletian, who wanted to become his wife Hripsime. She denied the Armenian king, after which he ordered the killing of all the girls, including Hripsime. Death of the Virgin caused in Trdat strong shock. From the madness of the king heal Saint Gregory the Illuminator. And in 303, it was built a wooden monastery. With the ancient name of the monastery Echmiadzin means "The only begotten descended". The construction site of the temple Gregory the Illuminator determined after him in a dream the Lord appeared.

Cathedral of the monastery is the oldest Christian church in Armenia. According to legend, the foundation of the temple was laid in 303 AD St. Gregory. According to historical data, the cathedral was built near the royal palace.

Originally built temple was in the form of the basilica, but the V century. Prince Vahan Mamikonian remade it in the form of a cross-domed church. Modern shape cathedral acquired after the adjustment in the beginning of VII century., During the time Catholicoses Komitas and Nerses III the Builder.

In the XVII century. It was erected on the cathedral dome and the new three-tiered bell tower was built in front of the west entrance. In the XVIII century. the southern, northern and eastern apse of the temple have built six-column rotundas, thereby acquired the five-domed cathedral wedding. At the beginning of the XVIII century. He was executed painting of the cathedral, whose author was the artist nagashi Hovnatanian. In the second half of the XVIII century. her grandson, Nathan added - Ovnatan. In the twentieth century. It has undergone a major restoration of the church.

On the territory of the Echmiadzin monastery are also: monastery refectory (XVII cent.), The gate of King Trdat (XVII cent.), The monastery hotel "Kazarapat" (middle of the XVIII century.), Old (XVIII century.) And the new (early twentieth century). Patriarch chambers and the Theological Academy of St. Echmiadzin (first half of XX century.).