Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD, and since then, the Armenian Apostolic Church and different kings of Armenia over the centuries have constructed some of the most magnificent and unique churches in Armenia.
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In this article, I will list some of the most popular, as well as my favorite Armenian Churches, which are located in different parts of the country, from remote to easily accessible places.
Monasteries & Churches in Armenia Overview
- St. Sargis Vicarial Church
- St. Grigor Lusavorich
- St. All Saviors
- Tatev Monastery
- Sanahin Monastery Complex
- Haghpat Monastery
- Etchmiadzin Cathedral
- Geghard Monastery
- Saint Hripsime Church
- Haghartsin Monastery
Most Beautiful Monasteries & Churches in Armenia
1. Saint Gregory The Illuminator Cathedral
The most recently contracted church on this list is St. Grigor Lusavorich, the biggest one in Armenia, contracted in 2001. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Yerevan.
Since Armenia adopted Christianity as a state religion by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301 AD, in honor and memory of that major historical event in Armenia, this iconic church was constructed at the beginning of the 21st century.
The design of Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is not fully traditional Armenian but more modern-looking. The biggest church in Armenia has 1,700 seats, symbolizing the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia. The church is 54 meters high (177 feet) and situated on a 3,822-square-meter (41,139-square-foot) territory.
Address: 5GC8+VV9, Yervand Kochar St, Yerevan
2. St. All Saviors
Constructed in 1858, St. All Saviors’ beautiful church in Gyumri has a tragic history. Located in the heart of Gyumri at Vartanants Square, it was destroyed by the devastating earthquake in 1988.
Holy Saviour’s Church is a domed basilica, an architectural masterpiece built from a red and black volcanic stone called “tuf”.
To the happiness of many Armenians and tourists, this magnificent church was reconstructed for a couple of decades, and finally in 2024, it reopened its doors to its visitors.
Address: Abovyan St, Gyumri
3. Tatev Monastery
One of the most iconic churches in Armenia is the mesmerizing Tatev Monastery constructed in the 9th century in the southern Syunik Province of Armenia next to Tatev village at the edge of the Vorotan River gorge.
In Armenian, “Tatev” means “give me wings,” which refers to a local folk legend when the church constructor was falling from the gorge and asked God to give him wings.
Like many other churches in Armenia, an earthquake also damaged Tatev, and was restored in 2010.
Right next to the church is the Guinness World Record-breaking reversible cable car Wings of Tatev, which takes visitors from one side of the gorge to another. The views from that ride are absolutely stunning.
Address: Tatev Monastery
4. St. Sargis Vicarial Church
One of the most popular churches in Yerevan, St. Sargis Vicarial Church, is located at the edge of the Hrazdan Gorge next to the Erebuni Fortress. Founded in 1842, it has become beloved by locals and tourists over the centuries.
Before being distracted by an earthquake in 1679, St. Sargis was the official seat of the Patriarch of Armenia and was a complex that included Saints Sarkis, Gevork, and Hakob churches.
It was reconstructed to its modern look only in 1835, replacing the old church. Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular churches in Yerevan for weddings and is also one of the most photogenic because of its location.
Address: 21 Israyelyan St, Yerevan
5. Sanahin Monastery Complex
Sanahin Monastery Complex is one of the most unique churches in Armenia, and it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. This medieval gem was constructed in the 10th century in the Lori region in the district of Alaverdi called Sanahin.
The uniqueness of the Sanahin Monastery Complex is that it was constructed over three centuries, and each piece of architecture held the same construction style but added new ideas to the complex.
The complex includes St. Hakob Church, St. Grigor Chapel, St. Harutyun Chapel, a bell tower, a bookstore, and royal family tombs.
Address: Sanahin, Alaverdi
6. Haghpat Monastery
Haghpat Monastery is one of my favorite medieval Armenian churches. King Ashot the Merciful founded Haghpat Monastery in 976 AD.
It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site in Armenia and was constructed between the 10th and 13th centuries. This unique church is located in the Lori region in the Haghpat village.
Haghpat is a typical Armenian medieval monastery complex with a central dome with four pillars. This masterpiece has many amazing khachkars from different centuries, as well as artwork and symbols on the exterior and interior walls.
Haghpat Monastery includes the Cathedral of Surb Nshan which was constructed between 967 and 976, the Church of Sourb Grigor, a small church, a bell tower, a library, a scriptorium, and more.
Address: Haghpat Monastery
7. Etchmiadzin Cathedral
Etchmiadzin is my hometown and one of my favorite cities in Armenia. In Etchmiadzin, you’ll find the oldest Armenian Christian church in the world: the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and for all Armenians, Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the most important Armenian church and a major pilgrimage site in the world. It was constructed by Gregory the Illuminator from 301 to 303.
The cathedral is surrounded by beautiful gardens, historic buildings, a museum, and khachkars. The architecture of Etchmiadzin Cathedral is spectacular.
It has four pillars, a cruciform style, semicircular piers, and a conical roof, typical of Armenian Christian architecture. Since 2000, Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been a World Heritage Site in Armenia.
Address: Etchmiadzin Cathedral
8. Geghard Monastery
The word unique is not enough to describe Geghard Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the Ararat region of Armenia in the Azat Valley. The uniqueness of the church is that starting from the 4th century half of the Geghard Monastery is carved inside a massive rock.
Geghard, from Armenian, means “spear,” and the monastery is translated as “the Monastery of the Spear” because in Geghard Monastery was kept the spear that Jesus Christ was wounded with while being crucified. It was brought to Armenia by Thaddeus. Now, the spear is in Holy Etchmiadzin.
Also inside the church was found a sacred spring flowing from the cave. The acoustics of the monastery are exceptional, and it’s possible to hear the Armenian church singing at its purest sound.
The monastery complex includes the main Katoghike church constructed in 1215, the gavit, a rock-cut church with a spring, a zhamatun (square chamber), a Proshyan chapel, an upper Zhamatun, and the Chapel of S. Grigor.
Address: Geghard Monastery
9. Saint Hripsime Church
Saint Hripsime Church is another iconic church from my hometown, Etchmiadzin, constructed in the 7th century. It is located in the Armavir region, only 20 kilometers away from Yerevan.
After the Mother Church of Etchmiadzin, Saint Hripsime Church is known to be one of the oldest churches in Armenia.
The church was named after the virgin Hripsime, who, with her virgins like Gayane, was seeking asylum from the Roman Empire for their Christian religion. However, they were murdered by Tiridates III after she refused to marry him.
The church was constructed at the place where she was killed, and the tomb of St. Hripsime is in the basement of the church.
Saint Hripsime is known to be one of the most complete churches in Armenia with perfect architecture. It is a domed tetraconch church that survived earthquakes.
Address: Saint Hripsime Church
10. Haghartsin Monastery
Surrounded by the beautiful and green Dilijan National Park, Haghartsin Monastery is a 10th-century stunning Armenian monastery located in the Tavush region, not too far from Dilijan town. From Armenian, Haghartsin means “Play of Eagles.”
Haghartsin Monastery is a combination of three churches: St. Gregory’s, St. Stephen’s, and St. Astvatsatsin, which is the biggest one.
Bagratuni Kings used the Haghartsin Monastery Complex as a summer residence. Also, there, Khachatur Taronatsi established the first musical university of Armenia in the 13th century.
Built out of white limestone, Haghartsin Monastery is known to be one of the most beautiful churches in Armenia and is also home to the biggest refectory, founded in the 13th century.
Address: Haghartsin Monastery
Armenian Churches On a Map
Other Articles About Churches in Armenia
- Tatev Monastery
- Khor Virap Monastery
- Geghard Monastery
- Sanahin Monastery
- Haghpat Monastery
- Zvartnots Cathedral
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