SAEDNEWS: Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is one of Armenia’s notable tourist attractions. It is an Armenian Apostolic cathedral located in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Construction of the cathedral began in 1997 and was completed in 2001.
Accoridng to Saednews, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, is one of the most important Armenian Apostolic churches in the world and the largest Armenian cathedral. Located in Yerevan’s Kentron District, near General Andranik metro station, the cathedral is a major religious and architectural landmark for visitors to Armenia.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1997 and was completed in 2001. The complex was built to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia adopting Christianity as its state religion and to honor Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who is traditionally credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia.
The cathedral was designed by architect Stepan Kyurkchyan in a traditional Armenian architectural style. It was officially inaugurated on September 23, 2001. A few days later, Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral during his visit to Armenia.
The cathedral has an interior area of approximately 3,822 square meters, while its height from the ground to the top of the cross reaches about 54 meters. Together with the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, it is considered one of the largest churches in the South Caucasus.
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral can accommodate around 2,500 worshippers. The structure was built primarily from Armenian stone, while gold was placed beneath the foundations of its columns as part of the construction and religious tradition.
The cathedral’s bells are located on the eastern side of the complex. Its lower section also contains a library and a collection of religious and historical artifacts associated with Saint Gregory the Illuminator.
Today, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral remains an important spiritual center for Armenian Christians as well as a prominent attraction in Yerevan. Its impressive scale, distinctive Armenian architecture, and historical significance make it one of the city’s notable landmarks.
