THE MOTHER CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEE

King Vałarš I, of the Arsacid dynasty, ordered thorough rebuilding of the City of Vardkesavan. The outer walls of the city were completely renovated and remodeled. In his honor King Vałarš I, renamed the city Vałaršapat. The rebuil Vałaršapat was considered as a second capital, after the city of Artašat. Vałaršapat within its boundaries contained the royal palace of the Arsacid kings. The city also housed a large military contingent of King's and noble's army. After 301, the city of Vałaršapat became the Holy City of Armenia [in pagan period the honor was given to the City of Aštišat in the Upper Armenia province of Greater Armenia. The city contained numerous temples that housed the pantheon of Armenian gods]. The Mother Church of Echmiadzin was completed in 303. Echmiadzin is a compound word which literary means 'the Descent of Begotten One' which according to the traditional account came about as a result of St. Gregory's vision, in which he saw Christ pointing to him the location for building the new Catholicosal seat of the Holy See.