During the reign of king Yervand Sakavakyats (570B.C.-560B.C.) of the Yervandouni royal house, the husband of the kings wife, Vardkes Manuk or the youngest greatly rebuild an reshaped the old Araratian city of Quarlini and renamed it in his name and honor Vardkesavan.
The Mother Church of the Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin and the Seat of The Catholicos of All Armenians, was rebuilt and remodeled by Catholicos Komitas of Aghts.
It was not until the early part of the XX th century that the remnants and pieces of the beautiful frescos and obelisks from the columns of interior and exterior frescos of the church were uncovered, after locating the spot of the Church of Zvartnots.
After visiting the mountain and a great fortress on its slopes, I went to Etchmiadzin, the Headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which would celebrate its 1700 anniversary in 2001 - as the oldest official Christian church in the world.
This is the Vatican of Armenia, where the Head of the Church, known as the Catolicos - effectively the Pope of Armenian Church - resides over the Armenian community worldwide.
Etchmiadzin: Memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide
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