Ejmiatsin Town
Ejmiatsin (Arm: Էջմիածին), Armavir Marz
The Town of Ejmiatsin, now officially known as Vagharshapat is primarily known as the site of the Ejmiatsin Cathedral Compound, which is the headquarter of the Armenian Church.
In addition to the compound, there are the churches of Hripsime, Gayane and Shoghakat.
The town is also known for it's kyufta, a traditional Eastern Armenian dish, and even has a "Kyufta Street", with a number of kyufta specialists.
Quotes about Ejmiatsin town
George Gurdjieff in his 1927 autobiographical book Meetings with Remarkable Men:
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And it was this aim that took me, among other places, to Echmiadzin, the center of one of the great religions, where I hoped to find at least some slight clue leading to the solution of these inescapable questions. Echmiadzin, or as it is also called, Vagharshapat, is for the Armenians what Mecca is for the Moslems and Jerusalem for the Christians. Here is the residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians, and here also is the center of Armenian culture. Every year in the autumn big religious festivals are held, to which come many pilgrims not only from all parts of Armenia but from all over the world. A week before the beginning of such a festival all the surrounding roads are filled with pilgrims, some traveling on foot, others in carts and wagons and still others on horses and asses. I traveled on foot, in company with other pilgrims from Alexandropol, having put my belongings in the wagon of the Molokan sect. On reaching Echmiadzin I went directly, as was the custom, to worship at all of the holy places. I then went into the town to look for a lodging, but it was impossible to find one, since all the inns (hotels did not exist then) were full and more than full; and so I decided to do as many others did--simply establish myself outside the town under a cart or wagon. But as it was still early, I decided first of all to do my errand, that is find Pogossian and give him the parcel. [some irrelevant paragraphs removed - Gurdjieff moves to stay with a family friend] After supper I went with Pogossian to see the town and the sacred relics. It must be said that during the festival there is a great deal of movement all night in the streets of Echmiadzin, and all the cafes and askhani are open. That evening and all the days following were spent with Pogossian. He took me everywhere, as he knew all the ins and outs of the town. We went to places where ordinary pilgrims do not have access and even the Kanzaran [or Gandzaran], where the treasures of Echmiadzin are kept and where one is very rarely admitted. |
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Photo gallery
Hripsime
Gayane
