St Gregory the Illuminator. Yerevan.
Isn't that a brutal architectural style. The Armenians don't have an ancient architect to blame for this styling as this cathedral was built between 1997 and 2001. Religion was suppressed in Armenia when the country was part of the Soviet Union so just like in neighbouring Georgia a statement cathedral was built in the countries capital following independence.
Where does the cathedral gets its unusual name. Wikipedia states that in 328 AD St Gregory the Illuminator was the first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He converted Armenia to Christianity thus making it the first nation in the world to accept Christianity as its national religion.
As for the equally blunt statue, this depicts General Andranik who led Armenia to its all too brief independence in 1918. By 1920 the nation had been incorporated into The Soviet Union. It would be 1991 before Armenia regained its independence.
St Gregory the Illuminator. Yerevan.
Isn't that a brutal architectural style. The Armenians don't have an ancient architect to blame for this styling as this cathedral was built between 1997 and 2001. Religion was suppressed in Armenia when the country was part of the Soviet Union so just like in neighbouring Georgia a statement cathedral was built in the countries capital following independence.
Where does the cathedral gets its unusual name. Wikipedia states that in 328 AD St Gregory the Illuminator was the first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He converted Armenia to Christianity thus making it the first nation in the world to accept Christianity as its national religion.
As for the equally blunt statue, this depicts General Andranik who led Armenia to its all too brief independence in 1918. By 1920 the nation had been incorporated into The Soviet Union. It would be 1991 before Armenia regained its independence.