Saint Hripsime Church

Saint Hripsime Church (Armenian: Սուրբ Հռիփսիմե եկեղեցի, Surb Hřip’simē yekeghetsi; sometimes Hripsimeh) is a seventh century Armenian Apostolic church in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. It is one of the oldest surviving churches in the country. The church was erected by Catholicos Komitas to replace the original mausoleum built by Catholicos Sahak the Great in 395 AD that contained the remains of the martyred Saint Hripsime to whom the church is dedicated. The current structure was completed in 618 AD. It is known for its fine Armenian-style architecture of the classical period, which has influenced many other Armenian churches since. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other nearby churches, including Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia's mother church, in 2000.

Saint Hripsime Church
View of the church, 2009
Basic information
Location	Vagharshapat, Armavir Province, Armenia
Geographic coordinates	40.166992°N 44.309675°ECoordinates: 40.166992°N 44.309675°E
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Rite	Armenian
Status	Active
Architectural description
Architectural type	Tetraconch[1]
Architectural style	Armenian
Founder	Komitas Aghtsetsi
Completed	618 (current building)[1][2][3]
Specifications
Length	22.8 metres (75 ft)[4]
Width	17.7 metres (58 ft)[4]
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name: Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iii
Designated	2000 (24th session)
Reference no.	1011