The Holy See of Echmiadzin was built in 301 in Vagharshapat – the capital of Armenia at the time. According to Agatangeghos - the Armenian historian of 5th century, on this very site Jesus Christ descended in Gregory the Illuminator’s vision telling him to build a church there. Hence the name of Echmiadzin, which translated from Armenian means \'the coming of The Only Begotten\'. The church was rebuilt in 480 by prince Vahan Mamikonyan, and the architectural style of that construction remained to our day. The main cupola was reconstructed by Movses Syunetsi catholicos in 1627 and the western bell-tower – by Pilipos Syunetsi in 1654. The three bell-towers above the apses were built in 1682 by Yeghiazar catholicos. And the annex – by Gevorg IV catholicos in 1868.
St. Gregory Illuminator’s church or the cathedral of Zvartnots and the residence of catholicos nearby were built by catholicos Nerses III the Builder in 641-661.