Answer: In the early 4th century St Gregory the Illuminator (240-325 AD) formally established the Church in Armenia, when King Tiridates III was baptized and declared Christianity as the state religion. St Gregory was consecrated a bishop by Leontius, the metropolitan of Caesarea, as the first Bishop of Armenia.

He began his missionary work in Armenia during the first decade of the fourth century, while a layman ― and upon his consecration as Bishop ― he established the Armenian nation’s Holy See. Sylvester I was pope at that time. St Gregory is called Illuminator for “enlightening the nation with the light of the gospel” through baptism. According to tradition, he saw Christ in a vision, who indicated to him where to build His Church, the first Armenian Church. The fifth century historian, Agatangel, recounts the works of the patron saint of the Armenian Church.

CLICK HERE to view a brief history of the
'Armenian Church'
on StGregoryWp.com


Baptism of the Armenian Nation
1700th Anniversary
St Gregory & King Tiridates as a Boar
St Gregory & King Tiridates & Angel
St Gregory & King Tiridates & Constantine & Pope Sylvester I
1176-1178 (2001)