During the Armenian Genocide , the cathedral of Etchmiadzin and its surrounding became a major center for the Turkish Armenian refugees . At the end of 1918 , there were about 70,000 refugees in the Etchmiadzin district . A hospital and an orphanage within the cathedral 's grounds were established and maintained by the U.S.-based Armenian Near East Relief by 1919
Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
Etchmiadzin Cathedral