VAŁARSHAPAT - EJMIATSIN / Vth-Vllth centuries
This is considered to be the most ancient church in Armenia. According to legend ìt was built on the spot where St. Gregory the Illuminator converted King Trdat to Christianity. The original plan of the building as shown by relatively recent excavations (1955-1959) was that of a three aisled basilica identical with the one at Aparan. The synthronon was significantly placed in the horseshow apse. Later (Vth­Vllth centuries), the building was transformed into the inscribed Greek cross type with a central cupola resting on pillars and four projecting apses. The porch-campanile is a XVllth century addition.
This ensemble of buildings remains to this day the seat of the patriarch and the residence of the Katholikos of all the Armenians.

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