PLACES OF WORSHIP

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SAINT PAUL AND PETERS CHURCH (completely destroyed)


Saint Paul and Peter Church was one of the oldest churches in Yerevan, built on the site of an old church of the 5th-6th centuries. 17th century


Saint Paul and Peter Church was located in the largest district of Yerevan, which was also known as Main city or Shahar (Persian for city). By decision of the Soviet authorities, it was completely destroyed in the early 1930s, and the “Moscow” cinema was built on its site. Saint Paul and Peter Church, according to some sources, was one of the oldest churches in Yerevan, built on the site of an old church of the 5th-6th centuries. It was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1679, most likely at the end of the 17th century.

The church, named after the apostles Saint Paul and Peter, was a three-nave basilica, with a nave. On the eastern side of the spacious prayer hall was the main altar with a pair of vestries. The prayer hall had entrances from the southern, western, and northern sides. The external architecture of the church was restrained, unadorned. Inside, the walls on both sides of the main altar had 6 layers of frescoes from different periods, the upper two of which were on wallpaper, and the lower ones on plaster. When the church was demolished, they were taken down and transferred to various museums.