Echmiadzin is the world’s first cathedral, founded in 301 AD. It was built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator after Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion. Echmiadzin cathedral is the spiritual center and Mother See of the Armenian Apostolic Church. “Echmiadzin” means “The Only-Begotten Descended” — referring to a vision Saint Gregory had of Christ descending from heaven and striking the ground with a golden hammer to indicate where the cathedral should be built. The Holy See of Echmiadzin is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.