Hripsime

Hripsime is an Armenian feminine given name derived from Saint Hripsime (Hripsimé), an early Christian martyr venerated in the Armenian Apostolic Church. The name remains common in Armenia and among the Armenian diaspora, with various transliterations such as Hripsimeh.

Saint Hripsime is a legendary figure associated with Armenia’s early Christian era. According to Armenian hagiography, she was a Christian virgin who fled persecution and sought refuge in Armenia with other believers. She and her companions are said to have refused to renounce their faith and were martyred near the city of Vagharshapat. Her story, together with the martyrdom of other companions such as Saint Gayane, is traditionally dated to the 3rd or 4th century and is linked to the broader Christianization of Armenia.

The Church of Saint Hripsime in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin) is a 7th-century Armenian church built on the site of her martyrdom. It is one of the oldest surviving examples of Armenian church architecture and is noted for its early medieval design, which influenced subsequent Armenian ecclesiastical architecture. The church remains a major pilgrimage site and is part of the religious complex at Etchmiadzin.

In modern usage, the given name Hripsime continues to be used within Armenian communities and appears in literature, religious devotion, and cultural references, preserving the legacy of the saint in Armenian Christian identity.