Saint Hripsime Church, built in 618 by Catholicos Komitas, is one of the masterpieces of early Armenian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands over the tomb of St. Hripsime, one of a group of Christian virgins martyred under King Trdat III, whose deaths, in tradition, led to his conversion and Armenia's adoption of Christianity. The church's perfectly balanced domed-cross plan, with corner niches and a soaring central cupola, became a model widely copied across the Armenian world. Restrained yet powerful in its proportions, it remains an active church and a moving site, with the martyr's crypt accessible beneath the altar.
To find a guided excursion that fits your schedule, check out the available Armenia Discovery tours visiting Saint Hripsime.
