Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral Church
Major Yerevan cathedral and seat of the Armenian Church
Yerevan's main cathedral, Saint Gregory the Illuminator hosts national liturgies and stands near Republic Square; visitors attend services, admire its modern Armenian architecture and marble interior.
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral at a Glance#
Address: Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Vardavar, Kentron, Yerevan, Armenia
Hours: Open to visitors during most daylight hours; check for special services and concerts
About Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral#
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan is a major modern cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church built in the capital city to serve as a principal national cathedral.
The complex was constructed in the late 20th century and completed around the time of the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s adoption of Christianity; it combines large-scale modern construction with traditional Armenian church forms. The cathedral functions for national liturgies, important church ceremonies and as a prominent landmark in Yerevan.
Located within the city of Yerevan, the cathedral is accessible to visitors and worshippers and forms part of the contemporary religious and civic landscape of Armenia.
- Anniversary construction: Constructed in the late 20th century and consecrated around the turn of the 21st century to mark the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s adoption of Christianity.
What to See#
- Main cathedral: The main cathedral is a modern, large-scale church built to serve as a principal seat and national cathedral for the Armenian Apostolic Church in Yerevan.
How to Get to Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral#
The cathedral is in central Yerevan; it is reachable by foot from Republic Square or by local buses and taxis.
Tips for Visiting Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral#
- Attend a Sunday service to observe liturgy and choir arrangements; the cathedral is active and not merely a museum.
- Combine a visit with nearby museums and Republic Square for a full day in central Yerevan.
- Photography policies can vary during services; when in doubt, ask custodial staff.
Best Time to Visit Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral#
Spring and autumn are best for comfortable sightseeing in Yerevan.
Weather & Climate near Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral#
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 30°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -7° - 1° | -5° | 21 mm | overcast | 60% | 1.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
| February | Poor | -6° - 3° | -4° | 26 mm | overcast | 55% | 1.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.5h |
| March | Acceptable | -1° - 9° | 2° | 29 mm | overcast | 50% | 1.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 5° - 17° | 11° | 40 mm | overcast | 50% | 1.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.1h |
| May | Good | 9° - 22° | 15° | 54 mm | overcast | 49% | 1.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.3h |
| June | Excellent | 13° - 27° | 20° | 40 mm | partly cloudy | 42% | 1.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.8h |
| July | Excellent | 16° - 31° | 24° | 20 mm | partly cloudy | 37% | 2.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.6h |
| August | Excellent | 16° - 30° | 23° | 13 mm | partly cloudy | 35% | 2.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.6h |
| September | Ideal | 12° - 26° | 19° | 12 mm | some cloud | 38% | 1.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 6° - 19° | 12° | 28 mm | partly cloudy | 48% | 1.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Good | 1° - 11° | 5° | 26 mm | partly cloudy | 54% | 1.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.8h |
| December | Poor | -4° - 4° | 0° | 20 mm | overcast | 61% | 1.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |