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Putin visits Echmiadzin

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  • Putin visits Echmiadzin

    PUTIN VISITS ECHMIADZIN

    RIA Novosti, Russia
    March 25 2005

    ECHMIADZIN (ARMENIA), March 25 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President
    Vladimir Putin arrived at Echmiadzin, the See of the Armenian Apostolic
    Church located in Vagarshapat, Yerevan's suburb.

    Putin is to meet with Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and
    attend his residence and the Echmiadzin Cathedral.

    The Echmiadzin monastery is the administrative and spiritual center of
    the Armenian Apostolic Church. In the II-V centuries AD Echmiadzin was
    the capital of Armenia named after its founding father, King Vagarshak.

    The Echmiadzin Cathedral was built in Vagarshafas following Armenia's
    adoption of Christianity in 301. This is one of the first Christian
    cathedrals in the world. Echmiadzin is the Catholicos' See, residence
    and treasury.

    The name Echmiadzin derives from the legend, which says that Jesus
    descended from Heaven to show the first Catholicos where the cathedral
    should be built. There are many stones in the shape of a cross on
    the Cathedral's territory.

    The Cathedral dates back to the V century AD. In the XVII century
    it was seriously damaged when Armenians were forced to settle in
    Persia and Shakh Abbas wanted to remove the Cathedral to Nor Djugha.
    However, the most significant parts of the Cathedral were taken away.
    Restoration works began in the XVIII century but were completed
    in 1955-1967.

    The Echmiadzin treasury founded in 1955 contains art relics brought
    from various Armenian centers, Ani, Constantinople, Van, etc.
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