Saint Sarkis Cathedral

Saint Sarkis Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in Yerevan. It is the seat of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese. The church is situated on the left side of Hrazdan River.

History

Located on the upper part of Dzoragyugh village, there has been a hermitage-monastery since the earliest Christian times. This large complex, surrounded by a high wall, included the Saint Sarkis, the Saint Gevork and the Saint Hakob churches, the buildings of the patriarchal offices and schools, an orchard and other buildings. The St. Sarkis Church was the official seat of the Patriarch, whereas the monastery was the patriarchal inn for the guests.

The St. Sarkis Church, with the hermitage-monastery, was destroyed becouse of the huge earthquake in 1679. However, it was restored during the rule of His Holiness Edesatsi Nahabet Catholicos (1691-1705). The current church was restored once again from 1835-1842.

In terms of its architectural features this church was not as good-looking as all the churches of the old city. Its unsightly look did not match with its significant role as the seat of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese. During the rule of His Holiness Vazgen I Catholicos of Armenians, the church was renovated and undergone basic improvments. In 1972 the reconstruction works began but the main features of the old building was preserved. During the years 1971-1976, the interior of the church was throughly improved. A gallery for the church choir was added to the eastern part of the church. Because of these kind of additions, it became essential to replace the old dome and the old drum with a higher dome with polyhedral fan-shaped spire.