ETCHMIADZIN', EDCH3HADZIN, or Irsattanzuv, a t. and monastery in the Russian government of Erivan, famous as the seat of the catholicus, or primate of the Arme nian church. It is situated in the plain of the Aras or Araxes, about 2,985 ft. above the sea, 12 m. w. of Erivan, and 30 m. n. of Mt. Ararat. The monastery comprises an extensive complex of buildings, and is surrounded by brick walls 30 ft. high, which, with their loopholes and towers, present the appearance of a fortress. Its architectural character has been considerably impaired by additions and alterations in the modern Russian style. On the w. side of the quadrangle is the residence of the primate; on the s. the refectory, built by the eatholicus Abraham, 1730-35; on the e. the lodgings for the monks; and on the n. the cells. The cathedral is a small but fine cruciform building,with a Byzantine cupola at the intersection, a large tower at the western end, and a smaller tower above each wing of the transepts. Of special interest is the porch, built of red porphyry, and profusely adorned with sculptured designs somewhat similar to those of Gothic architecture. The interior of the church is decorated with Persian frescos of flowers, birds, and scroll work. It is here that the catholicus confers epis copal consecrations by the sacred hand of St. Gregory; and hero every seven years he prepares with great Soletimity the hOly oil which is to be used thtoughout the churches of the Armenian communion. Of the numerous relics, the chief are the head of thd spear which pierced the Savior's side; a piece of Noah's ark, presented by an angel to St. James of Nisibis; and a piece of the true cross. Outside of the main entrance are the alabaster tombs of the primates Alexander I. (1714), Alexander II. (1755), Daniel (1806), and Narses (1857); and in hospitable contiguity a white marble monument erected by the East India company to mark the resting-place of sir John Macdonald, who died at Tabriz in 1830, while on an embassy to the Persian court. The library of the monastery is said at one time to have contained 15,000 volumes, and in spite of depredation and neglect, it still remains a rich storehouse of Armenian literature. Among the more remarkable manuscripts are a copy of the Gospels in a massive bind. lug of carved ivory, dating from the 10th or 11th c., and three Bibles of the 13th c., One of which had belonged to Aytoun II., king of Armenia. A type-foundry, a print ing-press, and a bookbinding establishment are maintained by the monks, who publish a weekly Armenian newspaper called The Ararat, and supply religious and educational works for their co-religionists. The number of inmates in the monastery varies con
siderably. In 1834, there were 50 monks and 13 bishops and archbishops; and in 1872, there were 5 bishops and archbishops, 20 monks, and 25 novices. The revenue, esti mated at $50,000, is derived from the conventual domains, which, though much less extensive than formerly, still comprise not only a number of estates, but five villages, presented or rather restored by the Russian emperor. The catholicus has an annual income of $7,500. To the e. of the monastery is a college and seminary of modern erection. At the distance of about half a mile stand the churches of St. Rhipsime and St. Gaiana, two of the early martyrs of Armenian Christianity; the latter is of special interest as the burial-place of all those primates who are not deemed by the synod worthy of interment beside the cathedral. From a distance the three churches form a striking group, and accordingly the Turkish name for Etchmiadzin is " Utch Kilissi," or the "Three Churches:" a fourth of less importance is ignored. The town of Etchmiadzin, or as it should be called Vagliarshapat, contains about 8,000 inhabit ants, but has long ceased to be of any individual importance. According to Armenian historians, it dates from the 6th c. B.C., and takes its name from king Vagarsh, who, in the 2d c. A.D., chose it as his residence and surrounded it with walls. According to the legend, the great apostle of Armenia, St. Gregory the illuminator, having seen the Savior descend in a flood of light in the neighborhood of the palace,was ordered by an angel to erect a church on the spot. He observed the divine command in 309, and gave the building the commemorative name of " Edch-Miadzin," or " Descended the Only Begotten." In 344, Vagharshapat ceased to be the Armenian capital, and in the 5th c. the patriarchal seat was removed to Tovin. The monastery was founded by Narses II., who ruled 524-33; and a restoration was effected by Gomidas in 618. At length, iu 1441, the primate George or Kevork brought back the see to the original site, and from that day to the present time Etchmiadzin has been the center of the Armenian church. In the Russo-Persian war of 1827, though the monastery was declared neutral territory by both belligerents, it was occupied by Russian troops. (Encyclopedia Briton nica, 9th ed.)