Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Coordinates: 40.1620°N 44.2912°E

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (Armenian: Մայր Աթոռ

Սուրբ Էջմիածին, romanized: Mayr At’oř Surb Ēĵmiatsin),
Mother See of Holy
known in Armenian as simply the Mother See (Մայր Աթոռ, Etchmiadzin
Mayr At’oř), is the governing body of the Armenian Apostolic (See of Etchmiadzin)
Church. It is headquartered around Etchmiadzin Cathedral in
Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia and is the seat of the
Catholicos of All Armenians, the head of the church.

Organizational structure of the

Mother See
The organizational structure of the Mother See of Holy The coat of arms of the Catholicosate
Etchmiadzin is composed of spiritual and administrative bodies of All Armenians
representing the authority of the Armenian Church, as
Primate Catholicos of All
follows:[1]
Armenians Karekin II
Language Armenian
Supreme Spiritual Council
Headquarters Vagharshapat,
The Supreme Spiritual Council (Armenian: Գերագոյն Armenia
Հոգեւոր Խորհուրդ Geraguyn Hokevor Khorhurt) is Territory Armenia and Artsakh
headed by the Catholicos of All Armenians. It is the highest (Nagorno-Karabakh)
executive body of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Members
Possessions Armenia, Artsakh
of the Spiritual Council are either elected by the National
(Nagorno-
Ecclesiastical Assembly or directly appointed by the Catholicos
of All Armenians. The Supreme Spiritual Council was Karabakh), Europe,
established on January 1, 1924, upon reforms initiated by Asia, Australia,
Catholicos George V, replacing the Synod of Bishops. Africa, Middle East,
North America, and
South America
National Ecclesiastical Assembly
Founder The Apostles
The National Ecclesiastical Assembly (Armenian: Ազգային Bartholomew and
եկեղեցական ժողով Azgayin Yekeghetsakan Zhoghov) is Thaddeus
headed by the Catholicos of All Armenians. It is the supreme Independence Apostolic Era
legislative body of the Armenian Church. Elected by the
Recognition Armenian Apostolic
individual Diocesan Assemblies, the National Ecclesiastical
Assembly is the body that elects the Catholicos of All Church
Armenians. Members 6,000,000
Official website www
Council of Bishops .armenianchurch.org
The Council of Bishops (Armenian: Եպիսկոպոսաց (http://www.armenian
ժողով Yepiskoposats Zhoghov) is an administrative body church.org/)
headed by the Catholicos of All Armenians. It has a consulting
role, making suggestions on the dogmatic, religious, and canonical issues to be during the meetings of the
National Ecclesiastical Assembly.

Diocesan Assembly

The Diocesan Assembly (Armenian: Թեմական Պատգամաւորական Ժողով Temakan

Patkamavorakan Zhoghov) headed by the primate of the diocese, is the highest legislative body of each
dioceses of the Armenian church. The assembly elect the delegates to the National Ecclesiastical Assembly,
as well as the members of the Diocesan Council. The assembly is heavily involved in the administrative
issues within the diocese. In some cases, the assembly elects the primate of the diocese.

Diocesan Council

The Diocesan Council (Armenian: Թեմական Խորհուրդ Temakan Khorhurt) headed by the primate
of the diocese, is the highest executive body of a dioceses of the Armenian church. It regulates the internal
administrative activity of the diocese under the direction of the primate. Members of the council are elected
by the Diocesan Assembly.

Monastic Brotherhood

The Monastic Brotherhood (Armenian: Վանական Միաբանութիւն Vanakan Miabanutiun) is

composed of the celibate clergy of the monastery who are led by the abbot. Currently, the Armenian
Church has 3 brotherhoods: the brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the brotherhood of
Saint James at the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the brotherhood of the Holy See of Cilicia. The
brotherhood is involved in decisions regarding the internal affairs of the monastery. Each brotherhood elects
2 delegates to take part in the National Ecclesiastical Assembly.

Parish Assembly

The Parish Assembly (Armenian: Ծխական Ժողով Tskhakan Zhoghov) is the general assembly of the
community regulated by the spiritual pastor. The Parish Assembly either elects or appoints the members of
the Parish Council as well as the delegates to the Diocesan Assembly.

Parish Council

The Parish Council (Armenian: Ծխական Խորհուրդ Tskhakan Khorhurt) is the executive-
administrative body of the community, regulated by the spiritual pastor of the community. It is mainly
involved in the realization of the administrative and financial activities of the community. Members of the
council are either elected or appointed by the Parish Assembly.

Departments of the Mother See

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has the following service departments:[2]
 Ecumenical Relations Department: the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin became member of
the World Council of Churches in 1962. In 1973, the Ecumenical Relations Department was
officially established by Catholicos Vazgen I. Adjacent to the department, the Ecumenical
Theological Council of Consultation was founded in 2011.
Information Services Department: founded in December 1994 as the press office of the
Mother See. In 2000, it became known as Information Services Department, upon reforms
initiated by Catholicos Karekin II.
Christian Education Center: the centre was opened on November 22, 1996, by Catholicos
Karekin I. The centre operates with many sections, with activities directed to Christian
education and teaching methods, as well as relations with other churches and international
institutions.
Publications Department: of the Mother See was opened on April 1, 2006. In addition to the
formal published books and works, the department also issues religious, calendars, prayer
booklets, educational pamphlets, etc. Etchmiadzin monthly is the official periodical of the
Catholicosate of all Armenians. It was first published in 1944 and is considered the
successor of the Ararat monthly published earlier by the Catholicos George IV in 1868.[3]
The publications in general are realized through the donations of a group of faithful
sponsors.[4]

Programs of the Mother See

Youth Centers known as Hayordyats toun (Armenian: Հայորդյաց տուն) in Armenian: are
children's creativity centers located throughout Armenia under the regulation of the Mother
See supported by the Armenian General Benevolent Union. The program was initiated by
Catholicos Karekin II in 1993 who was serving as Pontifical Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical
Diocese at the time. Currently, there are 8 centres: 4 in the capital Yerevan (including the
Hayk and Elza Titizian Children's Rehabilitation Center), with the remaining 3 centers
located in Vanadzor, Vagharshapat and Ashtarak. Approximately 3,500 students regularly
attend the centers.[5]
College Ministry: the program was launched on December 26, 2004, by Catholicos Karekin
II, aimin to work cooperatively with student council organizations of the major Armenian
universities. The ministry is headquartered in Yerevan.[6]
Izmirlian Medical Center and Surb Nerses Mets Research and Education Center: a medical
center-institute originally opened in 1986 in Yerevan as a center of proctology. Between
1998 and 2000, the center was redeveloped by the Armenian General Benevolent Union. In
2000, the center was granted to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. In 2013, the center
was entirely redeveloped through donations from the Izmirlian Family Foundation.[7]
Soup Kitchens: the program was launched in 1992, shortly after independence, in
partnership with the Armenian General Benevolent Union. Currently, there are 3 soup
kitchens in Yerevan, with the other 3 located in Sevan, Vagharshapat and Hrazdan. The
kitchens serve more than 1,200 recipients per day, from the most vulnerable members of the
society.[8]
Prison Ministry: the program was launched in May 1993 by Catholicos Karekin II who was
serving as Pontifical Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese at that time. The purpose of the
program is to make the spiritual service in detention facilities more organized and
productive. Currently, all of the 12 detention centres in Armenia are provided with spiritual
service.[9]
Church Chaplaincy of the Armed Forces of Armenia: the program was officially launched on
November 13, 1997, upon the joint initiative of Ctaholicos Karekin I, and then-Minister of
Defence Vazgen Sargsyan. The program is initiated primarily to serve in the frontier
regiments of the Armenian Army, the military educational institutions, as well as in the
 regiments of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army. Permanent chapels have been opened
in many regiments.[10]

Churches directly regulated by the Mother See

While most of the Armenian churches are regulated by the local diocese of the church, however, there are
few churches in different locations of Armenia are directly regulated by the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin:

Churches of the Mother See complex, including: Etchmiadzin Cathedral (opened in 301),
Saints Vartan and Hovhannes Baptistery (opened in 2008), and the Church of the Holy
Archangels (opened in 2011).
Churches of Etchmiadzin UNESCO World Heritage Site, including: Saint Hripsime Church
(opened in 618), Saint Gayane Church (opened in 630), and Shoghakat Church (opened in
1694).
Sevanavank monastic complex in Gegharkunik Province of the 9th century.
Khor Virap Monastery in Ararat Province of the 17th century.
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan, opened in 2001.
Surp Hakob Chapel of Vaskenian Theological Academy in Gegharkunik Province, opened
in 2005.
Surp Anna Church in Yerevan, opened in 2015, with the Yerevan residence of the
Catholicos.

Educational institutions of the Mother See

Gevorkian Seminary.
Vaskenian Theological Academy.
Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy of Kolkata, India: operating since 1821,
under the direct regulation of the Mother See.[11]
Turpanjian Theological High School of Harichavank, operating since 1881.[12]
Karekin I Centre of Theology and Armenology.
Eurnekian School: operating since 2009 and regulated by the Mother See. It was founded
on the basis of No. 13 School of Vagharshapat operating since 1959. The current building of
the school is located to the south of the Mother Cathedral, within the territory of the Mother
See complex.

Other projects and activities of the Mother See

The Mother See has responsibility over many educational and social services programs, including:

Vagharshapat City Stadium: is a football stadium opened in 1973 at the south of the Mother
See complex and has a capacity of 3,000 spectators. The stadium will be fully renovated
within the near future through the financial support of the church benefactors.
Shoghakat TV of the Mother See: based in Shengavit District of Yerevan, has been
broadcast since November 2002.[13]
"Let It Be Light" solar photovoltaic park: located to the south of the Mother See, outside the
walls of the complex. The project was initiated and fulfilled in 2017, including installation of
solar water heaters and photovoltaic array, with a cost exceeding US$2 million. It also
 includes a solar park, solar heating system and solar efficiency programs. The project was
financed by the Tunyan Family Fund.[14]

Buildings and structures in the monastic complex of the Mother

See

Churches
Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin was built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301–303.
The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the oldest church built by a state in the world. According to the
5th-century Armenian annals, Saint Gregory had a vision of Christ descending from heaven
and striking the earth with a golden hammer to show where the cathedral should be built.
Hence, the patriarch gave the church and the city the new name of Echmiadzin, which may
be translated as "the place where the Only Begotten descended". In 480, Vahan
Mamikonian, the Sassanian governor (marzban) of Armenia, ordered the dilapidated basilica
to be replaced with a new cruciform church. In 618, the wooden dome was replaced with a
stone one, resting on four massive pillars linked to exterior walls by arcades. This was the
church much as it is today. Murals in the interior and extravagant rotundas surmounting the
apses appeared in the early 18th century. Between 1654 and 1658, the main three-tier belfry
at the entrance of the cathedral was erected.
Saints Vartan and Hovhannes Baptistery, a chapel located north of the Mother Cathedral
and designated for baptism ceremonies. The three-domed chapel was designed by
architects Jim Torosyan and Romeo Julhakyan. The chapel was consecrated on 26
September 2008 and the construction was funded by the British-Armenian philanthropist
Armen Sarkissian.
Church of the Holy Archangels, built between 2009 and 2011, located in the yard of
Gevorkian Seminary building. The single-domed church was consecrated on 5 November
2011. It was designed by architect Jim Torosyan. The construction work was funded by the
Armenian philanthropist Gagik Galstyan.
Pontifical Chapel, opened in on 18 September 2019 in the yard of Veharan pontifical
residence.

Mother Cathedral of Saints Vartan and Church of the Holy

Holy Etchmiadzin Hovhannes Archangels
Baptistery

Administrative buildings
Old Synod building home to Ecumenical Relations Department: built by Catholicos Mkrtich I
in 1896-97 to serve as a chancellery and synod building until the Soviet occupation in 1920.
It was returned to the Mother See during the 1950s. Since its renovation in 2011, the single-
storied structure became an administrative building housing the Ecumenical Relations
 Department of the Mother See, along with the offices of the Round Table Foundation and
Ecumenical Church Loan Fund (ECLOF) of the World Council of Churches.[15]
Veharan pontifical residence: is the headquarters and main residence of the Catholicos of
All Armenians. Designed by architect P. Zohrabov, the construction of the building started on
June 6, 1910 and completed in 1915, through the donations of Alexander Mantashev. After
1920, the building was used by the Soviets as a military base until 1956, when it was
returned to the Mother See through the efforts of Catholicos Vazgen I. In 1957, the residence
was entirely rebuilt through the donations of Gegham Tandzikian, based on a new design
composed by architects Artsruni Galikyan, Rafael Israelyan and Baghdasar
Arzoumanian.[16] Currently, the two-storied building houses the administrative offices of the
Catholicos, the pontifical residence quarters, several meeting rooms and a treasury-
museum.[17]
Divanatoon or the chancellery: built in 2005-08, located next to the Veharan pontifical
residence. The two-storied building is designed by architect Armand Avagyan, and funded
by Nazar and Artemis Nazarian from the United States. It serves as the working office of the
Catholicos and the Supreme Spiritual Council.[18]

Veharan pontifical
residence

Monastic residences
Ghazarapat deacons' residence: built in mid 18th century and located to the south of the
Cathedral. The 1st floor of the two-storied building is currently housing showrooms and
museums, while the 2nd floor is home to 22 residential rooms for the deacons of the Mother
See. Renovated in 1974, the building was home to the main dining hall of the Mother See
until 2002, when it was moved to the new Monastic Residence.[19]
Yeremian cells monastic residence: built in 1892-93 through the efforts of bishop Yeremia
Galustian. It served the students of Gevorkian Seminary until the Soviet occupation in 1920.
During the 1950s, it was returned to the Mother See through the efforts of Catholicos Vazgen
I. In 2013-15, the two-storied building was entirely renovated through the efforts of the
Mardigian family from the United States. Currently, the building serves as a residence for the
clerical members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, as well as the visiting guests of
the Armenian Church.[20]
Vanatoon monastic guesthouse: a three-storied small building opened in 1978, through the
donations of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Consisted of 20 residential units, the
building is designated to serve the visiting clergymen and guests of the Mother See. It was
entirely renovated in 2007 with the financial assistance of James Kaloustian.[21]
Gevorkian Seminary dormitory: built in 1997-99 through the efforts of Catholicos Garegin I. It
was designed by architect Artsruni Galikyan and the construction was funded by Vahan and
Anoush Shamlian from Fresno, California. The three-storied building is designated to host
150 students of the Gevorgian Seminary.[22]
 New monastic residence: a 250-meters long two-storied structure connected to the
Ghazarapat and Vanatoon monastic residences, was officially opened on August 31, 2002.
The building was designed by architect Ruben Azatyan, while the construction was fulfilled
through the donations of Richard Manoogian; an Armenian benefactor from Michigan. The
building has 82 residential rooms.[23]

Yeremian cells monastic Vanatoon Gevorkian Seminary

residence monastic dormitory
guesthouse

Educational institutions
Gevorkian Theological Seminary: built in 1874 by Catholicos Gevork IV. A new extension
designed by architect Jim Torosyan was connected to the old building in 2013.[24]
Old Seminary building home to the Christian Education Center: originally built in 1908-11 to
serve as a depositary (matenadaran) of old Armenian manuscripts. After the Soviet
occupation, the building served as the main premises of Gevorkian Seminary between 1945
and 1997. Currently, the building is home to the Christian Education Center as well as many
other social committees of the Mother See.[25]
Karekin I Centre of Theology and Armenology, operating since June 26, 2000. The new
building was officially opened on September 28, 2015. It was designed by architect Artavazd
Nazaretian and funded by Haig and Elza Titizian from London.[26][27]
Eurnekian School: the new building of the school is located within the territory of the Mother
See complex. The construction was launched in 2012 and fulfilled through donations from
Eduardo Eurnekian.[28] The official inauguration ceremony of the school took place on 14
September 2017, for the 2017-18 educational year.

Gevorkian Christian Education Eurnekian School

Theological Centre at the old
Seminary seminary building

Museums and libraries

Etchmiadzin Cathedral Museum: built in 1869 by Catholicos George IV. It is located to the
southeast of the Cathedral's main altar, between the Ghazarapat and Vanatoon buildings.
The museum is home to a variety of valuable pieces, considered as sacred items by the
Armenian Church.[29]
Catholicosal Museum Old Veharan: or the old pontifical residence, built in 1738–41 through
the efforts of Catholicos Lazar I and served as the pontifical residence for 20 Catholicoi until
1962. In 1968, the building has been turned into Catholicosal Museum (Armenian:
Կաթողիկոսական թանգարան) through the efforts of Catholicos Vazgen I. It has been
renovated in 2010-14 through donations from the Armenian General Benevolent Union and
is currently home to a large collection of personal items of different Armenian Catholicoi as
well as the Kings of Armenia.[30]
Printing house and Bookstore: two-storied building to the east of the Cathedral, built and
opened in 1888-89 by Catholicos Magar I, to serve as a printing and publishing house of the
Mother See. It was fully reconstructed between 1959 and 1962 to serve as a bookstore as
well.[31][32]
Khrimian Museum: built and opened in 1896 by Catholicos Mkrtich I of Van and served as a
religious museum until the Soviet occupation. The building was used by the Soviets as a
military base until 1957 when it was returned to the Mother See. After the independence of
Armenia, the building was entirely renovated to serve as a museum of art, housing the works
of Arshile Gorky as well as many other renowned artists.[33]
Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury House: designed by architect Baghdasar Arzoumanian,
the building was officially opened on October 11, 1982. The museum is home to treasures of
the Armenian Church throughout the history. In 2013, a new section was opened in the
museum housing a variety of old manuscripts of the Armenian Church.[34]
Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository: designed by architect Artak Ghulyan,
the building was officially opened on October 18, 2011. It is located near the main entrance
of the complex, and is currently home to around 80,000 valuable books.[35]
Ruben Sevak Museum: located in the 1st floor of Ghazarapat building, the museum was
officially opened on September 10, 2013, to commemorate the Armenian poet Ruben Sevak,
as well as other Armenian intellectuals who became victims of the Armenian genocide.
Consisted of 4 large showrooms, the museum is home to more than 200 pieces of paintings,
including the works of Sevak.[36]
 Inside the Catholic The Printing Alex and Marie Manoogian
Etchmiadzin osal house and Treasury House
Cathedral Museu Bookstore
Museum m Old
Veharan

Vatche and Tamar Rouben Sevak

Manoukian Museum
Manuscript
Depository

Gates
Clock Tower: is a gate topped with a clock built in 1959, located at the north-western side of
the complex.
Gate of Vazgen I (Vazgenian Darbas): erected in March 1961 at the eastern wall of the
complex. In 2002, the gate was moved to the northern entrance.
Gate of King Trdat (Durn Trdata): restored in 1964 on the basis of the well-preserved
remains of the old medieval gate. The arch is located on the halfway between the Mother
Cathedral and the Veharan Pontifical Residence.
Gate of Saint Gregory: built in 2001 to become the main entrance to the Mother See.
Southern Gate near the Manookian Manuscript Depository: erected in 2011, forms the
southeastern entrance to the Mother See complex.
 Clock Tower Gate of Vazgen I Gate of Gate of Saint
King Gregory
Trdat

Southern Gate

Monuments and memorials

Armenian Genocide memorial: a group of Khachkars (cross stones) designed by Rafael
Israelyan and erected in 1965, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide.
Katnaghbyur memorial: a spring with khachkar erected in 1967 in memory of the genocide
victims of the Kghi region in Western Armenia.
Memorial spring for Mkrtich Khrimian: erected in 1982 by sculptor Getik Baghdasaryan and
architect Yuri Tamanyan.
Open-air altar: built in 2001 along with the Gate of Saint Gregory to commemorate the
1700the anniversary of the Christianization of Armenia.
Khachkars of medieval ages as well as the modern periods, including 6 khachkars survived
from the destruction of the Armenian cemetery in Julfa, dating back to the 16th and 17th
centuries.
Statues and decorative sculptures.
 Armeni Katnagh Mem The Open-air altar Three Khachkars
an byur orial and grape- near the Mother
Genoci memoria sprin blessing Cathedral
de l g for ceremony
memor Mkrti
ial ch
Khri
mian

Two Statu
Julfa e of
khachka Mesr
rs, dated op
1602 Mash
and tots
1603,
removed
from the
graveyar
d before
destructi
on

Graveyards and tombstones

Cemetery of Holy Etchmiadzin: located at the southeastern part of the complex.
Catholic tombstones: located at the entrance of the Mother Cathedral. It is envisaged to open
a special Pontifical Cemetery where all the bodies of the Catholicoi of the Armenian Church
are to be buried.
 Cemetery of Holy Catholic tombstones
Etchmiadzin

Service buildings
Northern wall of the Mother See: a 110-meters long fortification lies between the old
seminary building and the clock tower, at the north of the Mother Cathedral. The building is
currently home to service rooms and offices.
Agape Refectory building dating back to the 17th century with the adjacent souvenirs shop.
Vehicles service building: completed in 2002 through donations from Louise Manoogian
Simone. The building is dedicated for logistics management and vehicles services.
Sports and events centre of Gevorkian Seminary: the construction was launched on July 11,
2009 and the centre was officially opened on November 5, 2011. The three-storied building
located near the Gevorkian Seminary, was designed by architect Jim Torosyan, while the
construction was funded by Bedros and Anna Oruncakciel from Los Angeles.[37]
Pontifical Events Centre: located at the western edge of the Mother See complex, near the
Veharan pontifical residence, designated to host conferences, as well as the religious and
secular events of the Mother See. The two-storied building opened in 2014, was designed
by architect Hrach Poghosyan and the construction was funded by Samvel Karapetyan.
 Northern Agape Refectory and Sports and events
wall of the souvenirs shop centre of
the Gevorkian
Mother Seminary
See

Gallery

The plan of the The Mother Cathedral Amenaprkich Khachkar

cathedral and at the Mother See of 1279 from Vayots
surrounding by H. F. B. Dzor
Lynch, as of 1901

A 13th-century Park within the Mother The view around the

khachkar from Geghard See complex Mother Cathedral

See also
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
List of catholicoi of Armenia
 Holy See of Cilicia
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem

References
1. The Current Structure of the Armenian Church (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid
=1&id=7746&pid=3&lng=en)
2. Departments of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.j
sp?sid=1&id=22&pid=4)
3. Publications: Etchmiadzin Monthly (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=295
00&pid=1&lng=en)
4. Publication department of the Mother See (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&
id=103&lng=en)
5. Youth Centers (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=98&pid=21)
6. College Ministry (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4164&pid=21)
7. Izmirlian Medical Center and Surb Nerses Mets Research and Education Center (http://ww
w.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=97&pid=21)
8. Soup Kitchens of the Mother See (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=96&p
id=21)
9. Prison Ministry program of the Mother See (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1
&id=100&pid=21)
10. Church Chaplaincy Armenian Armed Forces (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=
1&id=29943&pid=21&lng=en)
11. Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy (http://www.armeniancollege.edu.in/armenia
n-college-and-philanthropic-academy/)
12. Turpanjian Theological High School (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=29
123&pid=49)
13. About Shoghakat TV (http://www.shoghakat.am/en/site/about)
14. Holy Etchmiadzin prefers solar energy (http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/243822/)
15. Ecumenical affairs building at the old synod (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=
1&id=4140&pid=971)
16. The reconstruction of Veharan pontifical residence (http://www.rafaelisraelyan.com/node/37)
17. Pontifical Residence (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4125&pid=971)
18. Chancellery (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=13537&pid=971)
19. Deacons' residence (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4136&pid=971)
20. Yeremian cells (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4133&pid=971)
21. Vanatoon guest house (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4137&pid=971)
22. Seminary Dormitories (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4135&pid=971)
23. New Monastic Residence (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4134&pid=9
71)
24. Gevorkian Theological Seminary (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4129
&pid=971)
25. Old seminary (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4139&pid=971)
26. Վարչապետը մասնակցել է «Գարեգին Ա» կրթական կենտրոնի բացմանը (htt
p://www.gov.am/am/news/item/12144/)
27. Karekin I Spiritual-Educational Center Foundation Blessing (http://www.armenianchurch.org/
index.jsp?sid=3&nid=1982&y=2011&m=10&d=6&lng=en)
28. Eurnekian School (http://eurnekianschool.am/%D5%B4%D5%A5%D6%80-%D5%B4%D5%
A1%D5%BD%D5%AB%D5%B6/)
29. Museums of the Mother See (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=16864&pi
d=16860&lng=en)
30. Old pontifical residence (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4130&pid=97
1)
31. Bookstore (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4143&pid=971)
32. Printing house (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4142&pid=971)
33. Khrimian Museum (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4132&pid=971)
34. «Ալեք և Մարի Մանուկյան» Գանձատուն (http://armchurch.info/project1/%D5%A1%D
5%AC%D5%A5%D6%84-%D6%87-%D5%B4%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%B4%D
5%A1%D5%B6%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%AF%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%A3%D5%
A1%D5%B6%D5%B1%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6/)
35. Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository (http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.
jsp?sid=1&id=4138&pid=971)
36. "Ռուբեն Սևակի անվան թանգարան" (https://web.archive.org/web/20181221200350/
http://armchurch.info/project1/%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A2%D5%A5%D5%B6-%
D5%BD%D6%87%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%AB-%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%BE%D5%A1%D
5%B6-%D5%A9%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A3%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%B6/).
Archived from the original (http://armchurch.info/project1/%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D
5%A2%D5%A5%D5%B6-%D5%BD%D6%87%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%AB-%D5%A1%D
5%B6%D5%BE%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%A9%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A3%D5%A1%D6%
80%D5%A1%D5%B6/) on 2018-12-21. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
37. The opening ceremony of the Sports and events centre of Gevorkian Seminary (http://www.a
rmenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=3&nid=1984&y=2011&m=10&d=6&lng=en)

Sources
Stopka, Krzysztof (2016). Armenia Christiana: Armenian Religious Identity and the Churches
of Constantinople and Rome (4th-15th century) (https://books.google.com/books?id=eeq-DQ
AAQBAJ). Kraków: Jagiellonian University Press. ISBN 9788323395553.

External links
About Etchmiadzin cathedral (https://avproduction.am/?ln=am&page=culture&id=32)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mother_See_of_Holy_Etchmiadzin&oldid=1178390435"