Saint Hripsime Church

Name: Saint Hripsime Church
Monument type: Church-Monastic Complex
Region: Armavir Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Saint Hripsime Church

Other nomination: Temple of “Holy Witness of Christ”

Monument type: Testimony church

Region: Armavir

Community: Vagharshapat

Residence: Vagharshapat town (In 1945–1995 – Etchmiadzin)

Location: North-eastern outskirts of Vagharshapat, low hill, left side of the highway leading to Yerevan.

Preservation: The structure is standing. It has undergone destruction and renovations over time, but has mostly preserved its compositional integrity.

Coordinates: 40o10’01” 44o18’35”

Altitude: 853 m

Era and chronology: It is an early medieval monument. At the place of martyrdom of Hripsime and 32 virgins, Gregory the Illuminator built a hermitage, which was destroyed during the Armenian-Iranian war in the IV century. At the end of the same century, during the reign of Catholicos Sahak Parthev, the two-story mausoleum was built. Its upper part was demolished by Catholicos Komitas Aghtetsi’s order in 618, and the current cathedral was built on the underground vaulted part of the mausoleum.

St. Hripsime Church: A Universal Architectural Gem

As you step into the embrace of St. Hripsime Church, you immerse yourself in a world where faith and history intertwine seamlessly. The timeless elegance and harmonious composition of this UNESCO World Heritage gem will transport you to a world where beauty and history intertwine seamlessly.

And as you allow yourself to become immersed in the sacred grounds of this site, you’ll learn that the elegance of St. Hripsime’s design is only rivaled by the deep historical and cultural significance it holds. Beyond its physical presence, the church is a testament to the enduring spirit of a nation, a place where early Christian martyrs sought refuge, and where their unwavering devotion continues to inspire.

So get ready to embark on a transformative journey that will not only amaze your eyes but will also nourish your soul as it envelops you in its divine presence.

Nestled in the charming town of Vagharshapat, within the Armavir region of Armenia, St. Hripsime Church, also known as St. Hripsime Temple or the Temple of “Holy Witness of Christ,” stands as a living testament to Armenia’s rich heritage. This sacred edifice, classified as a testimony church, has been the subject of much historical, architectural, and cultural interest for centuries.

St. Hripsime Church’s origins date back to the early medieval period, with its construction having roots in the martyrdom of Hripsime and 32 other virgins. The original hermitage at the site was initiated by Gregory the Illuminator, only to be destroyed during the Armenian-Iranian war in the 4th century. Catholicos Sahak Parthev, in the late 4th century, then commissioned the construction of a two-story mausoleum.

In the year 618, the upper part of the mausoleum was demolished by the order of Catholicos Komitas Aghtetsi. Subsequently, the existing cathedral was built upon the underground vaulted section of the mausoleum, preserving the historical significance of the location.

The church, which stands at an elevation of 853 meters, boasts a unique architectural design. It is characterized by a domed quadrilateral structure enclosed within an outer walled rectangle. Square chambers are positioned at each of the four corners, accessible through diagonally placed circular niches. The transition from the domed square to the circular base of the 12-vaulted dome is achieved through fan-shaped trumpets and smaller trumpets above them. Above the windows of the dome, you can find 32 ornate scrolls. The crypt below the upper tabernacle is where the remains of St. Hripsime rest, accessible through the north-western vestry.

The perfect architectural composition of St. Hripsime Church has made its mark not only in Armenian architecture but has also influenced Georgian structures like Jvari. This cultural significance has led to its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, a well-deserved recognition of its historical importance.

Over time, St. Hripsime Church has undergone both destruction and renovation. Notable repairs include those during the reign of Catholicos Philip I of Aghbak in 1653, during which a four-column entrance was added along with a belfry. Renovations were also conducted under the reigns of Catholicos Ghukas A. Karnetsi (1790), Catholicos Yeghiazar Ayntaptsi, and Catholicos Mkrtich Khrimyan.

Renovation work was conducted again in the 20th century, with notable efforts under the leadership of Catholicos Vazgen I in 1985, as well as the installation of a new belfry in 1986-1987. The church’s surroundings were also improved, and a monument dedicated to the Virgins of St. Hripsime Church was erected in 1997.

The church is steeped in the rich tapestry of Armenian folklore and legends. Hripsime, along with Mother Gayane and 35 other virgins, sought refuge in Vagharshapat to escape the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian and spread Christianity. Hripsime’s refusal of the love of King Tiridates III the Great resulted in her persecution and eventual martyrdom, along with 32 other virgins who shared her faith.

In conclusion, St. Hripsime Church serves as an invaluable relic, showcasing the enduring spirit of Armenian heritage and faith. Its historical, architectural, and cultural significance transcends time, making it an essential part of Armenia’s rich tapestry of history and spirituality.

FACTS

❈ St. Hripsime Church, located in Vagharshapat, Armenia, is a testimony church with deep historical, architectural, and cultural significance.

❈ Its origins trace back to the early medieval period, with connections to the martyrdom of Hripsime and 32 other virgins.

❈ Catholicos Sahak Parthev commissioned the construction of a two-story mausoleum at the site, later replaced by the existing cathedral.

❈ The church features a unique architectural design with a domed quadrilateral structure enclosed within an outer walled
rectangle.

❈ St. Hripsime Church has influenced other architectural structures and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

❈ It has undergone various renovations and repairs over the centuries, with notable efforts in the 20th century.

❈ The church is linked to Armenian folklore and legends, particularly the story of Hripsime and her fellow virgins seeking
refuge in Vagharshapat.

❈ St. Hripsime Church stands as a timeless relic, embodying the enduring spirit of Armenian heritage and faith, enriching Armenia’s
historical and spiritual tapestry.

🔍 Research history

The foundation of the temple scientific study was laid by H. Orbeli (he published the temple construction records in 1914), T. Toramanian (made the first measurements in 1931), and Y. Strzygowski. It has been thoroughly studied since the middle of the XX century (N. Tokarsky, T. Marutyan). The architecture was analyzed by V. Harutyunyan and M. Hasratyan. A monograph is dedicated to the temple, author: A. Yeremyan (1955). The comprehensive new study of the temple was done by A. Ghazaryan.

🧱 Archaeological description

Stratigraphy
There are no preserved citations on the temple restoration until the XVII century. It is known that partial transformations and additions were made in the Late Middle Ages. Large-scale construction works were carried out in the dilapidated monastery in 1653 during the reign of the Catholicos Philip I of Aghbak; a four-column entrance was built next to the western entrance of the church (1653), with a belfry built on it during the reign of Catholicos Ghukas A. Karnetsi (1790).

Catholicos Yeghiazar Ayntaptsi also carried out construction works and established a congregation.

The cross of the dome was erected during the reign of Catholicos Simeon of Yerevan, (1765), the territory of the temple was surrounded by raw brick walls (1776); its southern and eastern parts were replaced by stone walls during the reign of Catholicos Mkrtich Khrimyan, the congregation rooms were built (1894), and a two-story monastery was built in the south-eastern corner (1895), renovation works were carried out (1898).

The roof, walls, fence and auxiliary buildings of the monastery were repaired in 1936. Considerable reconstruction works, interior and surrounding improvement was done in 1958-1962. Remains of a wine press were found outside the northern walls.

In 1958 the interior plaster was cleaned, the missing parts of the interior were restored, the marks of stone masons were found on the inner spherical surface of the dome, the inscription of the western entrance lintel (the project author: H. Hakobyan). The monument surroundings were improved, the spring was paved and a new table was built (project author: R. Israelyan), metal gates were installed (project author: Yu. Tamanyan) in 1959. The temple was also renovated in 1985, during the reign of Catholicos Vazgen I, the wooden doors of the temple entrances were changed, the belfry was thoroughly renovated in 1986-1987 (architect: A. Galikyan). The open pyramidal monument of the Virgins of St. Hripsimiantz was built in the neighborhood of the church in 1997.

In 1958-1959 Armenian National Academy of Sciences carried out partial excavations inside the temple under the leadership of Al. Sahinyan. Fragments of the decorative cornice of the ancient building (130 x 80 x 32 cm) were found under 3 of the dome-bearing masonry elements, the original floor of the temple and the stone stair of the original entrance to the tomb were discovered at a depth of 40 cm.

In 1976-1978 the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography carried out archaeological and investigative works in the vicinity of the temple under the leadership of R. Torosyan. A small settlement was opened, and under the eastern wall were the ruins of a single-nave basilica church with a horseshoe-shaped altar (end of the IV century – beginning of the V century). Sarcophagi, fragments of an early medieval quadrilateral monument, remains of other structures were found. The wall directly built on the church in 1894 divides it into 2 parts. The monastery congregation grave is outside the wall.

Architecture
The temple of Hripsime (17.5 x 22.5 m) has a domed quadrilateral structure enclosed in an outer walled rectangle with square chambers at the 4 corners, which can be entered through diagonally placed circular niches. The transition from the domed square to the circular base of the 12-vaulted dome is accomplished by fan-shaped trumpets and smaller trumpets placed above them. There are 32 scrolls above the windows of the drum. The remains of the Virgin Hripsime are enshrined in a crypt below the upper tabernacle with the current entrance from the north-western vestry (originally it was from the prayer hall).

The frescoes created by Hakob and Harutyun Hovnathanyans presumably the XVIII century, were preserved in the front part of the stage (Virgin Mary with Child and the 12 apostles, and on the edges are St. Stepanos and Philip deacons). The entrances to the temple are on the southern and western facades. Construction and donation inscriptions have been preserved on the walls.

🔨 Findings

Sarcophagi, fragments of an early medieval quadrilateral monument, remains of structures of economic importance were found.

🌍 Significance

The perfect architectural composition of Hripsime has spread both in Armenian (Garnahovit, Sisavan, Aghtamar) and Georgian architecture (Jvari).

It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

📜 Traditional legends

Avoiding the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian, Hripsime with Mother Gayane and 35 virgins, took refuge in Vagharshapat and preached Christianity. Hripsime rejected the love of the Armenian King Tiridates III the Great and was persecuted by him as well, being killed along with the 32 virgins of her faith.

📚 Sources

Literature

Agathanghegos 1835, Armenian History, Venice, Saint Lazarus, 686 pages.
History of the Mission of the Reverend Darizhetsvoi, 1896, Vagharshapat, Printing House of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, 711 pages.
Hasratyan M. 2004, History of Armenian Architecture, H. 3, Yerevan, “Science” ed., 346 pages.
Toramanian T. 2013, Materials of the history of Armenian architecture, Yerevan, YSU ed., 864 pages.
Harutyunyan A. 2016, Vagharshapat. Monasteries and epitaphs, St. Etchmiadzin, Mother See Holy Etchmiadzin ed., 548 pages.
Yeremyan A. 1955, Hripsime Temple, Yerevan: Armgiz, 179 p.
Khazaryan A. 2012, Church architecture of the Transcaucasian countries of the 7th century: the formation and development of
traditions, Volume I, Moscow: Locus Standi, 388 p.

List of monuments

Armavir 3.2.17