The Vatican of Armenia - Etchmiadzin Cathedral

Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built in 301-303, it is the first cathedral in Armenia, the main church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the residence of the Armenian Patriarch, it is the oldest cathedral in the world, known as the 'Vatican of Armenia'. The church was severely damaged later and was almost completely rebuilt in its current form in 483. Etchmiadzin Cathedral houses the legendary spear that pierced Jesus and fragments of Noah's Ark. Unfortunately, the church is currently under repair and is not open. At present, only the exquisite murals and carvings at the entrance can be seen. The serpentine carving represents wisdom, and there are murals of six-winged angels. There are some tombstones on the open space outside the church, which are different from the general tombstones with two years of birth and death. There are three years on them, and the middle year is the year when the tomb owner was baptized and became a Christian.