Shoghakat Church is located in Vagharshapat, near the spiritual complex of the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, on the site where, according to tradition, the companions of the virgin Hripsime were martyred in the 4th century. The word “Shoghakat” in Armenian means “ray dripping” or “light shining”, referring to the traditional symbolism of the saints’ blood and light. The construction of the present church was completed in 1694 through the efforts of Catholicos of All Armenians Nahapat I of Edessa, although earlier structures already existed at this site. The architecture of the church reflects the style of 17th‑century Armenian religious buildings. Shoghakat Church is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the “Cathedral and Churches of Etchmiadzin” complex, together with Saint Hripsime, Saint Gayane, and the Mother Cathedral. Shoghakat is a quiet, less visited church within the Etchmiadzin complex, which allows for a more reflective and personal atmosphere of pilgrimage compared to the crowded courtyard of the Mother Cathedral.