Interesting insights about the
Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadsin
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Many of us know that the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadsin pictured below was built in 301-303 A.D. and then over the centuries it was renovated.  There is a great deal of literature available on this topic.  However, there are so many other important insights about the Cathedral that are not recorded in other locations that are easily accessible.  These are the details that help make this symbol of the Christian Faith to all Armenians such an important 'miracle of God.'  We hope you will enjoy these insights!

The Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadsin
(301-303 A.D.)
The Mother Altar - In the 1950's when the attempt was made to strengthen the structure of the current Mother Altar of the Cathedral, excavations led to a number of interesting findings.  First, the original altar was built over an ancient fire worshipping site and structure.  Second, a number of altar modifications had taken place.  The first of course was the original altar.  And altar was raised during another modification likely in the 5th century.  Each altar foundation is marked by signs of crosses, likely by those who built them.

Not too far over the water table - The water table is around 15 to 20 feet under the Cathedral.  In fact they can pull up water from below in order to clean the Cathedral floor.  There are two other reasons as to why this water is important.
    First, and perhaps miraculous, is that this water table acts as a shock absorber for the Cathedral in case of an earthquake.  Case in point:  When a major earthquake hit Etchmiadsin and destroyed the Church of Zvartnotz (a round basilica), the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadsin just 3 miles away was not affected.  In another instance, during the 1988 major Earthquake in northern Armenia, even though the whole structure of the Cathedral swayed, there was no damage.  In both cases, likely the water table below absorbed the shocks.
    Second, if people have to remain inside the Cathedral for any period of time, they have a source of water.  You may ask: Why would anyone remain in the Cathedral for an extended period of time?  See below for the answer.

A place to take refuge - As you enter the main door of the Cathedral and immediately look upward, even though the wall looks perfectly normal, but actually there is room inside for people to take refuge.  This was important because often when conquerors attacked Etchmiadsin they killed as many people as they could find.  However, people snuck and hid inside this upper refuge room in the walls of the Cathedral.  Obviously, once the doors of the Cathedral were locked from the outside, they still had water on the inside.

These are just a few insights about the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadsin that makes it such a miraculous site to witness the miracles of God, and to worship Him in an incomparable way.

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