Etshmiadzin

Etshmiadzin a remarkable Armenian convent in Erivan, a Transcaucasian province of Russia, and about 16 miles west of the town of Erivan. "It is of great extent, is surrounded by a wall 30 feet in height, and 1I miles in circuit. This wall encloses several distinct churches, each of which is presided over by a bishop; is cruciform in shape, and is surmounted by a kind of cupola crowned by a low spire. For many centuries this has been the seat of the Catholics (the head or patriarch of the Armenian Church). This patriarch presides at the synodical meetings, but cannot pass a decree without its having the approval of the. moderator, an official appointed by the Russian emperor, in whose hands the control of the convent virtually rests. In the convent library there are 635 manuscripts 462 of which are in the Armenian language."