St. Gregory cathedral
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan is the largest cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church and one of the most impressive religious landmarks in Armenia. The cathedral complex is composed of three churches and can accommodate nearly 2,000 worshippers. The main cathedral seats about 1,700 people, a symbolic number marking the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD, the event for which the cathedral was commissioned. The complex also includes two smaller chapels, each with a capacity of 150–200 people. These chapels are dedicated to King Tiridates III and Queen Ashkhen, the Armenian rulers who converted to Christianity under the guidance of St. Gregory the Illuminator and proclaimed Christianity the state religion of Armenia. The total area of the cathedral complex covers approximately 3,200 square meters (34,500 square feet). With its majestic architecture and spiritual significance, St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral stands today as an important symbol of Armenia’s Christian heritage and faith.
