Etchmiadzin Cathedral

Echmiadzin Cathedral is the central church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, standing in Vagharshapat — a city also known as Etchmiadzin. Scholars place its construction around the year 300, making it the earliest cathedral raised in ancient Armenia and, by many accounts, the oldest cathedral still standing anywhere.

The cathedral held the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians (the church's supreme head) from 303 to 484, then again from 1441 onward, a role it retains.

UNESCO added the cathedral to its World Heritage list in 2000.

The cathedral stands in Vagharshapat, Armavir region, about 19 km west of Yerevan (straight-line).