Saint Gayane Church

Church of Saint Gayane
Գայանե եկեղեցի
Saint Gayane Church
Religion
AffiliationArmenian Apostolic Church
Location
LocationVagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armavir Province, Armenia
Saint Gayane Church is located in Armenia
Saint Gayane Church
Shown within Armenia
Geographic coordinates40°09′27″N 44°17′31″E / 40.157419°N 44.291986°E / 40.157419; 44.291986
Architecture
StyleArmenian
Groundbreaking630
Official name: Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
TypeCultural
Criteria(ii) (iii)
Designated2000 (24th session)
Reference no.1011-002
RegionWestern Asia

The Saint Gayane Church (Armenian: Սուրբ Գայանե եկեղեցի; pronounced Surb Gayane yekeghetsi) is a 7th-century Armenian church in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), the religious center of Armenia. It is located within walking distance from the Etchmiadzin Cathedral of 301. St. Gayane was built by Catholicos Ezra I in the year 630. Its design has remained unchanged despite partial renovations of the dome and some ceilings in 1652.

Gayane was the name of an abbess who was martyred with other nuns by Tiridates III of Armenia in the year 301, and subsequently made a saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church.[1][2]

In 2000, Saint Gayane Church was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with historical churches of Vagharshapat.[3]