A team of archaeologists in Armenia has uncovered what is believed to be the oldest church building in the country. Researchers from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the University of Münster announced the discovery of a previously unknown church in Artaxata on last Friday.
The church, dating back to the 4th century, is described as “the oldest archaeologically documented church in the country — sensational evidence for early Christianity in Armenia,” according to professor Achim Lichtenberger of the University of Münster.
The ruins revealed an octagon-shaped church measuring approximately 30 meters in diameter, which has been partially excavated and studied using geophysical methods. Mkrtich H. Zardaryan of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia remarked, “Octagonal churches were unknown here until now, but we are very familiar with them from the Eastern Mediterranean region, where they first appeared in the 4th century AD.”
The researchers noted that the building corresponds to “early Christian memorial buildings.” Wooden platforms found in the structure were radiocarbon dated to the mid-fourth century. Archaeologists speculated that the church would have been “lavishly decorated,” considering that it was adorned with marble imported from the Mediterranean region.
The joint German-Armenian research team began its work in Armenia last September and intends to continue excavating to learn who the church had been dedicated to.
Armenia is historically known as the first Christian nation, having adopted Christianity as the official religion in 301 AD through the efforts of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.
Historian R. G. Hovannisian stated, “The conversion of Armenia to Christianity was probably the most crucial step in its history. It turned Armenia sharply away from its Iranian past and stamped it for centuries with an intrinsic character as clear to the native population as to those outside its borders, who identified Armenia almost at once as the first state to adopt Christianity.”
In 451 AD, when the Persian Empire pressured the Armenians to convert from Christianity to Zoroastrianism, they resisted under the leadership of a prince named St. Vartan, engaging in a significant battle at Avarayr.
According to Hovannisian, The battle has been described as bloody and horrendous. He explained, “Although St. Vartan, along with many of his comrades, suffered defeat and died, their fight to defend their faith was not in vain. The Persians eventually stopped their efforts to convert Armenia to Zoroastrianism.”
