Museums of Holy Relics

The four treasury museums of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (the spiritual and administrative centre of Armenian people) and the Matenadaran (the depositary of numerous ancient manuscripts) have been the place to preserve various Christian relics of great spiritual value.

Some relics are of unique value for all Christians. The Holy Lance that pierced our Lord’s side by the Roman soldier during His crucifixion is among them. According to the tradition it was brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus when he came to evangelize. The Lance is kept in the Cathedral Museum.

The greatest relic of Armenian Church is the Right Hand of St. Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator). The relic is housed in a gold artwork depicting the sufferings of the saint.

The third major relic is the piece of Noah’s Ark (kept in the Cathedral Museum). According to the tradition, it was given to St. Hakob (Jacob), Patriarch of Mtsbin, in the 4^th century, as he desired to climb the peak of Mount Ararat to find Noah’s Ark. After ascending the mountain, he fell asleep, and the angel of the Lord placed the relic of the Ark under his head. In a dream, the angel instructed St. Hakob to wake up, take the relic, and descend from the mountain.

Unique manuscripts of the Lazarian Gospel, copied in 887, and the Etchmiadzin Gospel, copied in 989, are kept at the Matenadaran and are open for the visitors.

You are welcome to explore the museums and consider visiting them. Psalm Tours includes visit to these museums in almost all of its tours.

Image	Name	Region/Diocese	Age (Century)
	Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury House Museum	Armavir / Under the auspice of the Mother See	1982
	Etchmiadzin Cathedral Museum	Armavir / Under the auspice of the Mother See	1869
	Matenadaran after St. Mesrop Mashtotz	Yerevan / Araratian Pontifical Diocese	1957
	Old Residence of the Catholicos Museum	Armavir / Under the auspice of the Mother See	XVIII c.
	Pontifical Residence Museum	Armavir / Under the auspice of the Mother See	1915-1962