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<\/a>The Church of St. Hripsime<\/p>\nThe Church of Saint Hripsime was built in 618 AD and according to the guide, had a major influence on Armenian architecture which followed. \u00a0The two-tier bell tower was added in 1790. \u00a0Hripsime was one of 36 religious women who were stoned to death for their religious convictions.<\/p>\n
The church of \u00a0St. Gayaneh is a domed basilica which was built in 630 AD and restored in 1652. \u00a0The architectural style is much different from that of St. Hripsime which was built about the same time.<\/p>\n Echmiadzin is the seat of the Armenian Church and is the holiest religious site in Armenia and to Armenian people around the world. \u00a0It is more than 1700 years old and is the oldest surviving Christian site in the country. \u00a0The Echmiadzin complex consists of several buildings, including the main cathedral, a museum, residences for clergy, a new baptistry, and two other churches nearby. \u00a0UNESCO recognized the Echmiadzin complex as a World Heritage site.<\/p>\n According to the guide, there was a major reconstruction of the the church in 484 AD. \u00a0The original wooden dome was replaced in the 7th century by the current stone dome. \u00a0The three-story bell tower was added in 1658.<\/p>\n Treasures of Echmiadzin is a museum filled with chalices, illuminated bibles, robes of priests, relics, and other church related treasures.<\/p>\n The group left the Echmiadzin Complex and made a stop to see the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. \u00a0Zvartnots was completed in 661 AD and is recognized for its unusual circular architecture. \u00a0When it was built, it looked like a giant three-tiered wedding cake. \u00a0The site is now a ruin of pillars and large stones. \u00a0The destruction was attributed to an earthquake which\u00a0occurred in the 10th century. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Hyur Tour group left Zvartnots and we returned to Yerevan by 4:00 PM. \u00a0Francoise and I crossed the Republic Square again and walked back toward the Europe Hotel. \u00a0The weather was very hot all day. \u00a0Someone said the temperature was today reached 42 degrees Celsius. \u00a0Which, by my calculations is about 107.6 \u00a0degrees Fahrenheit. \u00a0“Shok eh!” as they say here in reference to heat. \u00a0It was refreshing to return to the air conditioning of the hotel.<\/p>\n After a cooling break at the hotel, we walked to Ayas Kilikia Restaurant for dinner. \u00a0As the sun was setting, the temperature was cooler. \u00a0Ayas Kilikia was a very good family-owned restaurant which features live music in the evenings. \u00a0It was recommended to us by some people on the tour today. \u00a0The brochure for the restaurant states that “you will be transferred to Cilicia of the 14th century” by eating their food. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Rear View of St. Hripsime with Bell Tower<\/p>\n<\/a>Another View<\/p>\n<\/a>Interior Main Altar<\/p>\n<\/a>Light a Candle; Say a Prayer<\/p>\n<\/a>Francoise & Donnie at St. Hripsime<\/p>\n<\/a>Saint Gayane Church<\/p>\n<\/a>Exterior of St. Gayane Church<\/p>\n<\/a>Interior of St. Gayane<\/p>\n<\/a>Modern Gate to Echmiadzin Complex<\/p>\n<\/a>Echmiadzin Cathedral<\/p>\n<\/a>Symbolic Center of Echmiadzin<\/p>\n<\/a>Eucharist Dove<\/p>\n<\/a>Legendary Geghard Spear<\/p>\n<\/a>Persian Ceiling<\/p>\n<\/a>The Main Alter of Echmiadzin Cathedral<\/p>\n<\/a>New Baptistry<\/p>\n<\/a>Interior of Modern Baptistry<\/p>\n<\/a>Side View of St. Echmiadzin<\/p>\n<\/a>Zvartnots Cathedral Ruins<\/p>\n<\/a>What Historians Thought Zvartnots Looked Like<\/p>\n<\/a>Decorated Columns<\/p>\n<\/a>Lower Tier of Columns<\/p>\n<\/a>One of Five Remaining Entrances to Zvartnots<\/p>\n<\/a>View Towards Mt. Ararat<\/p>\n<\/a>The Singing Fountain by Day<\/p>\n