Ejmiatsin Church, Tbilisi

Ejmiatsin Church is one of two Armenian churches in Tbilisi. Located in Avlabari District, which is home to a large Armenian population, the renovated chapel serves as a classic representation of Armenian church architecture.

Literary sources place the age of Ejmiatsin Church at more than 200 years, for it was likely built between 1805-1809. In his writings, archpriest John Martirosov-Voskerchyants describes the forced resettlement of some 200 Armenian families from the city of Etchmiadzin to Tbilisi after they rebelled against the Turks. Shortly thereafter, the Armenians built Ejmiatsin alongside the archpriest and gave it the official name of Nor Ejmiatsin, as “nor” means “new” in the Armenian language.

In accordance with Armenian architectural tradition, the church did not originally have a dome, although there was a small bell tower next to the building. After restoration work in the mid-19^th century (all existing inscriptions in the church date to 1846), the dome was added and arches and ornamentation affixed to the outer walls. Unlike many churches, Ejmiatsin Church remained active even during the Soviet era. Full renovations on both the exterior and interior of Ejmiatsin Church were carried out in 2006-2010, and today the church falls under the diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

With its brick building, minimalist interior decor and three entrances which lead to a central hall, Ejmiatsin Church is regarded as a beautiful example of Armenian church architecture. At the main entrance, a cross-stone khachkar now stands in memory of the victims of the 1988 earthquake which destroyed the Armenian cities of Spitak and Leninakan.

Ejmiatsin Church is located next to Avlabari Square, one of the oldest sites in Tbilisi and a prime starting point for city tours. Travelers who visit the church can plan to tour other nearby historical sites, including Holy Trinity Cathedral, Monument to Characters of Movie Mimino, Avlabari Presidential Residence and Metekhi Church.