Religious and PilgrimageРелигиозные туры и паломничествоPilgerreisen

The Armenian Apostolic Church is considered one of the most ancient Christian churches in the world. Christianity was born here yet in the 2nd – 3rd centuries. In 301 Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion. The forefathers of Christianity in Armenia were Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew (1st century), who accepted a martyr death. However, the most important role in adoption of Christianity in Armenia belongs to Gregory the Illuminator. In his honor Armenian Church received its other name that can often be found in literature: “Gregorian” or “Armenian Gregorian”. This conditional name has been in use since 1836. Thanks to the sermons of Gregory the Illuminator, Armenian king Trdat (287-330 A.D.) and his family were the first to be baptized, after which Christianity was announced as the official religion of the country. In 301 Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as the official religion.

Entrance of Holly See Mother Echmiadzin
Haghpat Monastery
Gandzasar Monastery

According to the legend, Saint Gregory had a vision of Christ pointing with a gold hammer at a place where the first Armenian Church was to be built. The temple built in that place became the Cathedral and was called Echmiadzin, which means “Came down the Only Son”, i.e. Jesus Christ. At the initiative of Saint Gregory, other Christian churches, basilicas, and prayer houses were built in Armenia as well. They were being built on pagan temple foundations. Sometimes even former pagan temples were transformed into Christian churches.
Since the middle of the 5th century, the Armenian Apostolic church actually separated from the Eastern and Western churches after its non-acceptance of the decision of the 4th (Chalcedony) Ecumenical Council of 451.

It should be mentioned that the Armenian Apostolic Church has a high status in Jerusalem. Like Catholic and Orthodox Churches, it is represented there by a patriarch. In additions, the key to the Temple of God are traditionally kept by the representatives of the Armenian, Coptic, and Greek Churches.

Armenia will certainly be of interest to pilgrims making religious tours to worship holy sights and relics. We offer a variety of religious tour programs to pilgrims.

More Information

Religious tourism in Armenia and pilgrimage. Armenian Apostolic Church

Armenia is one of the most interesting countries in the world for organizing religious tourism, pilgrimage and sightseeing of sacred places. Pilgrimages are very well developed in Armenia as Armenian Apostolic Church is considered unique as it doesn’t belong to any other branch of Christian churches. Many people from many countries of the world make pilgrimages to Armenia to visit the sacred places. Religious tourism and pilgrimages in Armenia is a variety of tours and programs for pilgrimages.
How to organize a pilgrimage tour? With which organizations and religious groups should one turn to for help for organizing a religious tour and pilgrimage? Which sacred places should one visit to see the best sacred places of Apostolic Church? Our project is created to help you find the best answers.
We help you to organize religious and pilgrimage tourism. We will advise you a religious tour and pilgrimage and help you choose the sacred places. Pilgrimage in Armenia is a travel into the history of one of the oldest Christian churches in the world – the Armenian Apostolic Church. In 301 Armenia became the first country in the world to accept Christianity as a state religion. That’s why religious tourism and pilgrimages in this country is considered very interesting and captivating. The most popular sacred place in Armenia is Echmiadzin. The believers from many countries of the world make pilgrimages to Echmiadzin. Besides this famous architectural monument, Armenia has many other places where one can make a religious tour. Ask our professional specialists who will help you choose any kind of religious and pilgrimage tour for your group for any period of time and you’ll have an opportunity to learn more about the Armenian Apostolic Church.