Exterior

The church is considered one of the masterpieces of early medieval Armenian architecture, a perfected form of that begun at Echmiadzin. Following the plan of Echmiadzin (cruciform with semi-circular apses at the cardinal points, chapels on the diagonal points), the architects at Hripsimeh created a harmonious and elegant space, one of the earliest uses of placing the dome directly over the supporting walls.

There are few of the carvings found on the Echmiadzin Cathedral, or even the geometric and symbolic carvings that covered Zvartnots. Even Guyaneh appears more intricate in its design, though built in the same period. Hripisimeh seems austere and as a martyr shrine, that serves its purpose well. But unlike Guyaneh or even the Cathedral, tjhe church saves it most impressive features for the inside. Just as the crypt and sanctuary were once covered with rich tapestries and gold imagery with precious stones, the architecture is covered with a kind of tapestry, and soars in its grand design--from the inside.

The large niche' on the southern flank were not meant for statuary--Armenia originally prescribed to the iconoclasts and refused 3 dimensional represetnations. By the time icons became more widely accepted, the Arabaian and Persian dominations were so deeply felt (human representations were forbidden) that the greatest expressions of faith artistically are the geometric designs on Khachkars and the sides of later chruches.

Hripsimeh's geometry is sacred geometry in the way the lines of the building converge to points and circular patterns in a stunning display of lightness for such an obviously heavy structure. Numerology abounds: 2 niches and 3 openings on each side, 3 roof lines on each end, the 2 to 3 ratio in measurements--everything outside the building reinforces the sacred numbers 2 (duality of God on earth and in heaven) and 3 (The Holy Trinity); while all inside reinforces the number 4 (The totality, seasons, all time). It is a purest form of worship in architecture. Even the 8 niches (not at all common in Armenian church architecture) represents the 8th day, in biblical terms the day of resurrection, the beginning of life after God rested.