Armenia's Ancient Christian Monuments
Published 15 October 2012
Given that Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as an official state religion in A.D. 301 (10 years before it was recognized by the Roman Empire), it is not surprising that the country has a rich and ancient religious heritage. It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of important Christian sites in the country, although many of them have fallen into disrepair.
1 The Marmashen Monastery from the 10th-13th century near the city of Gyumri
2 The 13th-century Argatsin Monastery outside the city of Dilizhan
3 T Khor-Virap Monastery with Mount Ararat in the background
4 The ancient Tatev Monastery in Armenia's southern mountains, close to the border with Iran
5 The Gegard Monastery inside the Azat River Canyon
6 The famous Sanahin medieval monastery complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site
7 The cathedral in Echmiadzin, the traditional center of the Armenian Church
8 The Kecharis Monastery in the town of Tsakhkadzor
9 An Armenian Orthodox church in Odzun
10 Two thousand-year-old churches overlook Lake Sevan, which is Armenia's largest freshwater lake