Saint Hripsime Church is located in Vagharshapat, near the spiritual center of Etchmiadzin, on the site where, according to tradition, the holy virgin martyr Hripsime is buried. The present stone church was built in 618, during the catholicosate of Komitas I Aghtsetsi, and is considered an important example of the early medieval Armenian domed-centralized type. Its cruciform domed plan and clearly defined volumes had a significant influence on the later development of Armenian church architecture. Saint Hripsime is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the other historic churches of Etchmiadzin.