St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral visit

About

The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, also known as Yerevan Cathedral, is the largest cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church and one of the largest religious buildings in the South Caucasus. Built on the initiative of Catholicos Vazgen I, construction began on April 7, 1997, and the cathedral was consecrated on September 23, 2001, marking the 1700th anniversary of Armenia adopting Christianity as its state religion — the first nation in the world to do so, largely through the efforts of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Designed by architect Stepan Kurkchyan and built of orange tufa from Ani, the complex comprises the main cathedral (seating 1,700), two smaller chapels dedicated to Saint Tiridates the King and Saint Ashkhen the Queen (150 seats each), and a belfry with more than 30 arches; the total complex is about 3,822 square meters, and the cathedral rises 54 meters to the top of its cross. It houses relics of Saint Gregory the Illuminator brought from Naples, and Pope John Paul II visited shortly after its consecration.
What you can do there: visit the main cathedral and its two chapels, view the stained-glass windows and altar, see St. Gregory's reliquary in the narthex, and attend a service (major liturgies and church feasts are held here); candles may only be lit in a separate building on the southeast side.