PLACES OF WORSHIP
ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL OF YEREVAN
1996-2001
Architect: Stepan Kyurkchyan
Structural Engineers: Hovhannes Meroyan,
Yuri Dallakyan
Sponsors: Luise-Simon and Richard
Manukyan, Nazar and Artemis Nazaryan, Gevorg and Linda Gevorgyan, Eduardo
Eurnekian
Located in the southeastern part of the Ring Park, facing the “Russia” cinema, on an elevated site.
It
is the mother cathedral of the capital, built in 1996-2001 according to the
design of architect Stepan Kyurkchyan, to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of
the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia.
The
church was constructed through the donations of Richard and Luise-Simon
Manukyan in memory of their late parents, Alek and Marie Manukyan. The two
chapels were built through the donations of Nazar and Artemis Nazaryan, Gevorg
and Linda Gevorgyan, and the bell tower through the donation of Eduardo
Eurnekian.
The
St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral is a complex structure comprising
the church, chapels dedicated to King Trdat (Tiridates) the Great and Queen
Ashkhen who adopted Christianity in 301 AD, an atrium attached to the west of
the church, and a bell tower. A monastic building and parking lots have also
been constructed.
The
atrium houses a part of the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first
Catholicos of All Armenians, which were brought from the Church of St. Gregory
the Armenian (San Gregorio Armeno) in Naples by Catholicos Karekin II and
presented to him by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican on November 11, 2000.
While
possessing the characteristic features of classical Armenian architecture, the
Mother Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Yerevan is contemporary and
unlike any medieval Armenian church.
“Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage” SNCO
Yerevan Municipality
