Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church 

Imposingly massive and awe-inspiring, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church houses the Holy Remains of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator - the first official Patriarch of Armenia who converted Armenia from Paganism to Christianity in the 4th century A.D. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

The construction of the St. Gregory the Illuminator complex (St. Grigor Lusavorich Church) began in 1997 and was completed in 2001. The project of building the church complex was initiated by Vazgen I to mark the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia as a state religion in 301 A.D. The church is one of the largest religious buildings in the South Caucasus. The church complex consists of the main church, two chapels, a belfry and a small building for candle lighting.

THE COMPLEX

The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church is unusually large and seems to have a royal bearing. The exterior surfaces of the church are broken into zigzags. 

The interior of the church is extravagantly spacious and cheerful thanks to the creamy color of the walls, the wooden doors and window frames, which create a remarkable style and strong appeal. On the southern side of the church is the candle lighting hall. Its a small building where you can light a candle - a tradition of the Armenian Church.

LOCATION

St. Gregory the Illuminator is located in the Circular Park in Yerevan, across from the Rossiya trade center. In this stretch of the Circular Park, lying between Vardanants Street and Tigran Mets Street, and between Khanjyan Street and Yervand Kochar Street, there are many outdoor cafes, which in the summer attract locals and tourists who go there to cool off near the fountains and reservoirs. Right next to the church there is an amusement park with rides. In the summer evenings, families and couples come here to relax. You can also walk from the metro station Yeritasardakan through the Circular Park up to the church, crossing the Sayat Nova and Vardanants Streets.

Approaching the church from the Tigran Mets Street (the western side) you can see the statue of General Andranik mounted on two horses at the bottom of a lengthy stairway. Though the stairway is about 200 meters long, its worth walking it up, since you can stop, turn around and enjoy an aerial view of the city. The Tigran Mets Street leads to the Republic Square - the heart of Yerevan - where you can see the big singing fountains, the government buildings, the National Museum of History; there are the Converse Bank, the Main Post Office and a couple of stationery and book shops on the square. 

PRACTICALITIES

The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church is close to the main streets and sights in downtown Yerevan. Walking 15 minutes you can get to Abovyan and Amiryan Streets; 20 minutes - to Tumanyan and Sayat Nova Streets.

On Tigran Mets Street, on the western side of the church, the metro station Zoravar Andranik is located, next to the Rossya trade center.  Also, walking 10 minutes down the Tigran Mets Street you can get to English Park and Childrens Park that are on both sides of Street of Italy. Across from Children’s Park is the statue of Alexander Myasnikyan - the head of the Soviet Armenia in 1920-1922. If you walk further on Movses Khorenatsi Street, you will get to Mashtots Avenue; turning left and walking some 5 minutes you will get to the Blue Mosque.

Probably the most enjoyable way to get to the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church is through the Circular Park, if you want to get the feel of the citys gentle landscaping. Follow one of the tree-lined alleys from the statue of Vardan Mamikonyan (commander-in-chief of the Armenian army in the 5th century) - one of the most notable landmarks of Yerevan - which takes you through cafes and the amusement park to the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. There are benches where you can sit and enjoy the view of the church and relax beneath the shade cast by the huge old trees. On the southern side is the Yervand Kochar Street - a narrow, but busy street with numerous shops and restaurants. Across the street, opposite the church, there is the SAS Supermarket where you can get foods and drinks, as well as home appliances, bath and laundry supplies.