The Church was built in 618 at the burial place of virgin Hripsime. Legend has it that Hripsime and her virgin followers escaped the persecution of the Roman Emperor Deoklitianos, left Rome and took refuge in the gardens of Vagharshapat. Learning about Hripsime’s beauty Armenian king Trdat III decided to take her as wife, but the virgin who was faithful to her religion, turned down the pagan king, ran away from the palace and preferred the death of a martyr. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron of Christian religion, built tomb on her grave. It was here that the temple of Hripsime was built to honor her as martyr. The Church of S. Hripsime is ranked among the greatest achievements of universal archeological heritage.