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.According to some records this is where Gregory Illuminator and king Tiridat met each other (3km east of present-day Echmiadzin city). The cathedral had been functioning for more than 300 years before it was destroyed by a strong earthquake. In 1900-1907 it was excavated by archimandrite Khachik Dadyan. Now you can visit only the remaining ruins of the cathedral and palace.