Archaeologists have discovered the remains of one of the world's oldest Christian churches in an ancient city in Armenia.
On October 11, the University of Münster announced that a previously unknown church was discovered in the church. press release.
Archaeologists also found fragments of marble imported from the Mediterranean, from which experts determined that the church was “lavishly decorated.”
Archaeologists from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the University of Münster in Germany have discovered the remains of one of the oldest Christian churches in the ancient Armenian city of Artaxata, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia for almost six centuries.
Researchers believe that this church dates back to the 4th century.
“Typologically, this find corresponds to an early Christian monument,” the press release states. “Researchers found the remains of a wooden pedestal in the cross-shaped extension and radiocarbon-dated it to the mid-4th century AD.”
Dr. Mukrtich H. Zardarian from the Armenian National Academy of Sciences said: “Although octagonal churches were previously unknown here, we are familiar with them since they first appeared in the 4th century AD in the Eastern Mediterranean region.'' “There is,” he explained.
Professor Achim Lichtenberger of the University of Münster added: “This fourth-century building is the oldest archaeologically recorded church in the country and is sensational evidence of early Christianity in Armenia.”
The octagonal building is approximately 100 feet in diameter. The church features mortar floors and terracotta tiles. Archaeologists also found fragments of marble imported from the Mediterranean, from which experts determined that the church was “lavishly decorated.”
Archaeologists excavated parts of the ancient site and studied it using geophysical methods.
A German-Armenian team has been in Armenia since September and will continue excavations in hopes of making new archaeological discoveries.
The Kingdom of Armenia was the first Christian nation in the world.
St. Gregory the Illuminator was a fourth-century Christian apostle and prince of Parthia, a historic region located in northeastern Greater Iran.
Gregory's father Anak reportedly He attempted to assassinate the King of Armenia and was executed. The King of Armenia ordered the execution of Anak's entire family. Gregory's caretakers smuggled him out of Armenia and transported him to Cappadocia, in modern-day Türkiye. Gregory was raised by a Christian priest.
Gregory became a monk and then returned to Armenia to promote the faith and convert the people to Christianity.
At the time, the Armenian King Tiridates III was informed that Gregory's father was the one who had attempted to assassinate him. Tiridates III (also known as Tiridates the Great) bound Gregory, threw him into a pit, and tortured him.
Legend has it that Tiridates III fell into madness and had a dream in which Gregory healed him. Gregory healed a mad king around 300 AD
After this miracle, Tiridates III declared that Armenia would become a Christian nation, the first Christian nation in history.
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