Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yerevan

Not to be confused with Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church, Yerevan.

Cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church

Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

Religion
Affiliation| Armenian Apostolic Church
Ecclesiastical or organizational status| Active
Leadership| Catholicos of All Armenians
Year consecrated| September 23, 2001
Location
Location| Tigran Mets Avenue, Kentron, Yerevan, Armenia
Geographic coordinates| 40°10′19″N 44°31′01″E﻿ / ﻿40.17194°N 44.51694°E﻿ / 40.17194; 44.51694
Architecture
Architect(s)| Stepan Kurkchyan
Type| Church
Style| Armenian architecture
Groundbreaking| 1997
Completed| 2001
Specifications
Capacity| 1700
Height (max)| 60 metres (200 ft)[1]

The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral (Armenian: Սուրբ Գրիգոր Լուսավորիչ մայր եկեղեցի, Surb Grigor Lusavorich mayr yekeghetsi), also known as the Yerevan Cathedral is the largest cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is located in the Kentron District (Central District) of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, and is one of the largest religious buildings in the South Caucasus along with the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (known as the Sameba Cathedral). Adjacent to the General Andranik metro station, it is visible from many areas of Yerevan.

## History[edit]

The cathedral was constructed by the initiative of Catholicos Vazgen I. Its construction started on April 7, 1997 with a ground blessing service conducted by Catholicos Karekin I.[2] The church complex was designed by the architect Stepan Kurkchyan and the construction was completed in 2001.

The consecration of the cathedral took place on September 23, 2001, on occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia.[2] The cathedral houses the relics of Saint Gregory the Illuminator and the Holy Remains of St. Gregory that were brought from Naples, Italy. Shortly after the consecration of the cathedral, Pope John Paul II paid a visit to the cathedral.[3]

## Architecture[edit]

The huge cathedral is a complex consisting of three churches: the Cathedral (Main Church) with 1700 seats and the Chapels of Saint Tiridates the King and of Saint Ashkhen the Queen (both with 150 seats). These two royal figures were the crucial helpers of St. Gregory in converting Armenia to Christianity. The belfry tower (which consists of more than 30 arches) and the court are located at the entrance of the Cathedral. Halls for receptions and church-related activities are provided on the lower floor of the Main Church.

The total area of the complex is around 3,822 square meters, while the height of the cathedral from the ground to the top of the cross is 54 meters.[4]

The Main Church of the complex was built by the donation of Richard Alexander Manoogian and Louise Manoogian Simone, in the memory of their deceased father, philanthropist, entrepreneur and former AGBU President Alex Manoogian and his wife Marie Manoogian.[2] On the other hand, the construction of the two chapels of the complex was completed by the donation of Nazar and Artemis Nazarian and Kevork and Linda Kevorkian, while the belfry was erected by the donation of Eduardo Eurnekian.

## Gallery[edit]

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral from air

*   * The cathedral is built from orange-coloured tufa stones from Ani

*   *   *   *   * The stone slab with an inscription in Armenian language

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Altar

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, stained-glass window

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, stained-glass window

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, stained-glass window

* Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, stained-glass window

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Armenia Consecrates New Cathedral".
2. ^ a b c http://asbarez.com/42657/louise-simone-and-richard-manougian-donate-2-million-to-yerevan-cathedral-project/ Louise Simone and Richard Manougian Donate $2 Million to Yerevan Cathedral Project
3. ^ https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20010926_yerevan-st-gregory.html APOSTOLIC VOYAGE IN ARMENIA, ECUMENICAL CELEBRATION, HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II. Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Yerevan, 26 September 2001
4. ^ "Yerevan churches". Official Website of the Yerevan Council. Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2009-08-24.

## External links[edit]

* About Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral
* Surp Grigor Lusavorich church

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Modern Armenian churches and seminaries

Armenia|

Yerevan
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral
Holy Trinity
Saint John the Baptist
Saint Sarkis (Kentron)
Saint Sarkis (Nor Nork)
Saint Anna Church
Holy Vartanants Martyrs Church

Elsewhere
Gyumri

Holy Saviour's Church
Holy Mother of God
Church of the Holy Saviour
Vagharshapat

Church of the Holy Archangels
Oshakan

Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church
Abovyan

Saint John the Baptist Church

Seminaries
Gevorkian Theological Seminary
Vaskenian Theological Academy

Caucasus|

Tbilisi, Georgia
Ejmiatsin Church
Vank Monastery
Church of the Red Gospel
Church of the Holy Seal

Azerbaijan
Saint Gregory Church of Baku
Ghazanchetsots Cathedral
Kanach Zham

Russia|

Moscow Armenian Cathedral
Saint Catherine's Armenian Church, Saint Petersburg

Europe|

Austria
Mekhitarist Monastery of Vienna
France
Paris Cathedral
Italy
Mekhitarist Monastery of Venice (San Lazzaro)
Santa Croce degli Armeni
Romania
Armenian Church, Bucharest
United Kingdom
Church of St Yeghiche
St Sarkis

Middle East|

Cyprus
Holy Mother of God Cathedral, Nicosia
Lebanon
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
Armenian Catholic Patriarchate
Cathedral of St Elias and St Gregory the Illuminator
Syria
Church of the Holy Mother of God
Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia
St. Hagop Church
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Cross Church
Armenian Genocide Memorial Church (Der Zor)
Iran
St. Sargis Church, Tehran
Holy Mother of God Church, Tehran
St. Vartanants Church, Tehran
Shoghakat Church, Tabriz
Turkey
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
St. Giragos Armenian Church
Kartal Surp Nişan Armenian Orthodox Church
Taksim Surp Harutyun Church

Asia|

Singapore
Saint Gregory

United States|

* Church of Our Savior, Worcester
* Holy Trinity Church, Fresno
* St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church
* St. Vartan Cathedral
* Saint Sarkis of Dearborn

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Yerevan landmarks

Historical sites and
notable landmarks|

* Shengavit archaeological site
* Erebuni Fortress
* Teishebaini archaeological site
* Tsiranavor Church of Avan
* Katoghike Church
* Red Bridge
* Zoravor Church
* Saint John the Baptist Church
* Blue Mosque
* Mordechai Navi Synagogue
* Saint Sarkis Cathedral
* Holy Mother of God Russian Church
* Saint Gregory Cathedral
* Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory
* Yerevan Brandy Factory
* Mother Armenia
* Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial
* Yerevan Cascade
* Yerevan TV Tower
* Komitas Pantheon
* Yerablur Military Pantheon
* Elite Plaza Center

Nature and parks|

* Hrazdan River
* Yerevan Lake
* Lovers' Park
* English Park
* Yerevan Botanical Garden
* Yerevan Zoo
* Khachatur Abovyan Park
* Circular Park
* Victory Park
* Lyon Park
* Tumanyan Park
* Buenos Aires Park
* Yerevan 2800th Anniversary Park

Entertainment
and recreation|

* Grand Hotel Yerevan
* Children's railway
* Armenia Marriott
* Ani Plaza Hotel
* Water World
* Radisson Blu Yerevan
* Dalma Garden Mall
* Megamall Armenia
* Yerevan Mall
* Rossia Mall

Culture and art|

* National Library
* National Archives
* Khnko Aper Children's Library
* Avetik Isahakyan Central Library
* Yerevan Opera
* Sundukyan Theatre
* H. Tumanyan Puppet Theatre
* Stanislavski Russian Theatre
* Paronyan Musical Comedy Theatre
* H. Ghaplanyan Drama Theatre
* Komitas Chamber Music House
* Moscow Cinema
* Nairi Cinema
* Yerevan Circus
* National Gallery of Armenia
* Yerevan Vernissage

Museums|

* History Museum of Armenia
* Charents Museum of Literature
* Yerevan History Museum
* Matenadaran
* Erebuni Museum
* Modern Art Museum
* House-Museum of A. Khachaturian
* Silva Kaputikyan House-Museum
* Yeghishe Charents Memorial Museum
* Sergei Parajanov Museum
* Ara Sargsyan and Hakob Kojoyan Museum
* Near East Art Museum
* Cafesjian Museum of Art
* ARF History Museum
* Aznavour Center
* Komitas Museum
* Armenian Railways Museum

Education|

* Yerevan State University
* National University of Architecture and Construction
* State Medical University
* State Pedagogical University
* Komitas State Conservatory
* National Agrarian University
* National Polytechnic University
* Brusov State University of Languages
* State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography
* Institute of Physical Culture and Sport
* State Academy of Fine Arts
* State University of Economics
* Crisis Management State Academy
* Haybusak University
* American University of Armenia
* Fondation Université Française en Arménie
* Russian-Armenian University
* Vazgen Sargsyan Military University
* PhysMath School
* Mkhitar Sebastatsi School
* Anatole France French School
* QSI School
* Avedisian School
* Ayb School
* Chinese-Armenian Friendship School
* European University of Armenia
* Eurasia International University

Science
and technology|

* Yerevan Physics Institute
* National Academy of Sciences
* Institute of Mathematics of National Academy
* Yerevan Computer Research Institute
* CANDLE Synchrotron Institute
* Tumo Center for Technologies

Sport|

* Vazgen Sargsyan Rep. Stadium
* Hrazdan Stadium
* Yerevan Football Academy
* Tigran Petrosian Chess House
* H. Hayrapetyan Equestrian Centre
* Karen Demirchyan Complex
* Yerevan Velodrome
* Yerevan Figure Skating and Hockey Sports School

Transportation|

* Yerevan railway station
* Trolleybuses in Yerevan
* Erebuni Airport
* Zvartnots International Airport
* Yerevan Underground

Squares, streets
and bridges|

* Republic Square
* Freedom Square
* Garegin Nzhdeh Square
* Charles Aznavour Square
* Aram Street
* Abovyan Street
* Mashtots Avenue
* Sayat-Nova Avenue
* Baghramyan Avenue
* Tamanyan Street
* Komitas Avenue
* Liberty Avenue
* Northern Avenue
* Victory Bridge
* Hrazdan Gorge Aqueduct
* Great Bridge of Hrazdan
* Davtashen Bridge

Government|

* President's Residence
* Government House
* National Assembly Building
* National Security Service
* Yerevan City Hall
* Constitutional Court
* Police of Armenia
* Prosecutor General
* Central Bank of Armenia

Precincts|

* Ajapnyak
* Arabkir
* Avan
* Davtashen
* Erebuni
* Kanaker-Zeytun
* Kentron
* Malatia-Sebastia
* Nork-Marash
* Nor Nork
* Nubarashen
* Shengavit

Category:Yerevan
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