Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin)

Vagharshapat (Armenian: Վաղարշապատ), commonly known as Ejmiatsin in Eastern Armenian and Echmiadzin in Western Armenian (Armenian: Էջմիածին), is the fourth-largest city in Armenia and the spiritual centre of the Armenians, as it is the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the head of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church. It is the most populous city in Armavir province, located about 18 km west of Yerevan, 25 km east of the regional centre of Armavir, only 10 km north of the Armenia-Turkish border.

Population-64 000
The territory of ancient Vagharshapat and the surrounding areas has been inhabited since the 3rd millenium BC. Many sites, such as Metsamor, Shresh hill and Mokhrablur, date back to the neolithic period. The first written records about Vagharshapat were found in the inscriptions left by the Araratian king Rusa II (685-645 BC), where it was mentioned as the Valley of Kuarliny. According to Movses Khorenatsi, the oldest name of Vagharshapat was probably Artemid, derived from the ancient Greek deity Artemis. It was renamed Avan Vardgesi (Town of Vardges) or Vardgesavan (Վարդգէսաւան) after being replenished by prince Vardges during the reign of king Orontes I Sakavakyats of Armenia (570-560 BC).


www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9HuGSPdCh4