Museum of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Religious museum at Mother See complex in Vagharshapat, Armenia.
The Museum of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is a building within the Mother See complex that houses religious artworks, historical manuscripts, and liturgical objects from different periods. The display includes illuminated texts, ecclesiastical vestments, reliquaries, and metalwork that document Armenian religious craftsmanship and faith.
The museum was founded in 1869 to preserve artifacts from various Armenian kingdoms and periods that document the long history of Christianity in Armenia. The collection grew from the earliest times of Christian faith in the region and reflects cultural continuity across centuries.
The collection displays Armenian Christian art spanning centuries, including illuminated manuscripts, vestments, and metalwork that reflect long liturgical traditions. These objects once belonged to ceremonies and daily practices in the Armenian church, which visitors can encounter in their original forms today.
The museum sits within the Mother See complex and is easily accessed on foot when visiting the main cathedral. Visitors should allow enough time to explore the different exhibition areas, as the collections are spread across multiple rooms and sections.
The Treasury section of the museum is revered by many as the repository of fragments believed to be from Noah's Ark and the Holy Lance that pierced Jesus' side according to Christian tradition. These reliquaries hold profound importance for the faithful and draw pilgrims from around the world.
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