Wednesday - Etchmiadzin

After picking up the picnic in Yeravan, two huge blue boxes from a travel agency, we went on to Etchmiadzin.
This is the capital of the Armenian church, like the Vatican is for the Roman Catholics. The present cathedral was founded by St. Gregory in 309. This was the first Christian Church in the world. The Church was built over the Temple of Venus of which some still remains in the crypt. We went down and saw the old pagan Temple and were given a talk by the Armenian priest. Again they were very efficient in removing money from us tourists.
Very ornate patterns, like carpets, over the ceilings. The Treasury had many relics, including a piece from Noah's Ark in an icon. A spear that speared Christ's side.
We then went a short distance and had lunch. Very good curry, finely chopped vegetables with mayo salad, couscous, aubergine rolls, meat balls.
Next Anna showed us the curch of a martyred female Saint. Several were martyred when their leader refused the pagan King. Churches were later built on their tombs.

Etchmiadzin		Etchmiadzin
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		Etchmiadzin, cleaning the pictures
Joan Rolinson, and Fran Curtis at lunch		Ray Law at lunch