Thursday, July 18, 2013
We took another Hyur tour excursion today to see the seventh century churches of St. Hripsime, St. Gayaneh, and the Cathedral of Echmiadzin. These historical sites are located approximately 30 minutes west of Yerevan. The road leading to Echmiadzin was very well paved and straight. This was in sharp contrast to the very poor road which was filled with huge potholes and cracks leading to Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery yesterday. Interestingly, the Hyur tour bus drove past a series of newly built casinos just on the outskirts of the Yerevan.
The Church of St. Hripsime
The Church of Saint Hripsime was built in 618 AD and according to the guide, had a major influence on Armenian architecture which followed. The two-tier bell tower was added in 1790. Hripsime was one of 36 religious women who were stoned to death for their religious convictions.
Rear View of St. Hripsime with Bell Tower
Another View
Interior Main Altar
Light a Candle; Say a Prayer
Francoise & Donnie at St. Hripsime
The church of St. Gayaneh is a domed basilica which was built in 630 AD and restored in 1652. The architectural style is much different from that of St. Hripsime which was built about the same time.
Saint Gayane Church
Exterior of St. Gayane Church
Interior of St. Gayane
Echmiadzin is the seat of the Armenian Church and is the holiest religious site in Armenia and to Armenian people around the world. It is more than 1700 years old and is the oldest surviving Christian site in the country. The Echmiadzin complex consists of several buildings, including the main cathedral, a museum, residences for clergy, a new baptistry, and two other churches nearby. UNESCO recognized the Echmiadzin complex as a World Heritage site.
Modern Gate to Echmiadzin Complex
Echmiadzin Cathedral
According to the guide, there was a major reconstruction of the the church in 484 AD. The original wooden dome was replaced in the 7th century by the current stone dome. The three-story bell tower was added in 1658.
Symbolic Center of Echmiadzin
Treasures of Echmiadzin is a museum filled with chalices, illuminated bibles, robes of priests, relics, and other church related treasures.
Eucharist Dove
Legendary Geghard Spear
Persian Ceiling
The Main Alter of Echmiadzin Cathedral
New Baptistry
Interior of Modern Baptistry
Side View of St. Echmiadzin
The group left the Echmiadzin Complex and made a stop to see the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. Zvartnots was completed in 661 AD and is recognized for its unusual circular architecture. When it was built, it looked like a giant three-tiered wedding cake. The site is now a ruin of pillars and large stones. The destruction was attributed to an earthquake which occurred in the 10th century.
Zvartnots Cathedral Ruins
What Historians Thought Zvartnots Looked Like
Decorated Columns
Lower Tier of Columns
One of Five Remaining Entrances to Zvartnots
View Towards Mt. Ararat
The Hyur Tour group left Zvartnots and we returned to Yerevan by 4:00 PM. Francoise and I crossed the Republic Square again and walked back toward the Europe Hotel. The weather was very hot all day. Someone said the temperature was today reached 42 degrees Celsius. Which, by my calculations is about 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit. “Shok eh!” as they say here in reference to heat. It was refreshing to return to the air conditioning of the hotel.
The Singing Fountain by Day
After a cooling break at the hotel, we walked to Ayas Kilikia Restaurant for dinner. As the sun was setting, the temperature was cooler. Ayas Kilikia was a very good family-owned restaurant which features live music in the evenings. It was recommended to us by some people on the tour today. The brochure for the restaurant states that “you will be transferred to Cilicia of the 14th century” by eating their food.
Keufta and Kale With Lavash
Interior of Ayas Kilikia
According to the menu, they use organically grown ingredients and their “cuisine includes historical Armenian national dishes.” At the end of our meals, we were offered glasses of Rose Brandy which was made by the chef. The waitress said it was made from rose hips and was available for sale only at their restaurant. Everything was very tasty and we planned to return to the restaurant if we had time.