The church of St. Gayane is a domed basilica built in 630 in Vagahrshapat (present-day Echmiadzin), in the times of Yezr catholicos. In 1683 Yeghiazar Ayntaptsi catholicos built the porch of the church. In the southern part of the church the relics of St. Gayane are buried.
St. Gregory Illuminator’s church or the cathedral of Zvartnots and the residence of catholicos nearby were built by catholicos Nerses III the Builder in 641-661.