Archaeologists have uncovered certainly one of the world’s oldest Christian churches in the traditional city of Artaxata, Armenia, offering remarkable insight into the spread of early Christianity. The discovery is hailed because the country’s oldest documented church, dating back to the 4th century AD, when Armenia became the primary nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion.
This groundbreaking find is the results of a joint effort between the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and Germany’s University of Münster, as a part of the Armenian-German Artaxata Project.
Since 2018, the team has been excavating the positioning and recently uncovered the stays of an octagonal church with cruciform extensions – a structure previously unknown in Armenia but characteristic of early Christian architecture within the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The constructing, which dates back to the 4th century, is the oldest archaeologically documented church within the country – a sensational testimony to early Christianity in Armenia,” remarked Professor Achim Lichtenberger of the University of Münster. Dr Mkrtich Zardaryan of the Armenian Academy of Sciences echoed this excitement, noting that “Octagonal churches were unknown here until now, but we’re very aware of them from the Eastern Mediterranean region, where they first appeared within the 4th century AD.”
The church, which measures roughly 30 metres across, featured a straightforward mortar floor and was lavishly decorated with imported marble and terracotta tiles. These materials, radiocarbon dated to the mid-4th century, underline the structure’s importance and the early influence of Christianity within the region. Notably, the stays of wood platforms discovered within the cross-shaped extensions further confirm its ancient origins.
Located near the historic Khor Virap Monastery and the positioning where Gregory the Illuminator is alleged to have converted King Tiridates III to Christianity in AD 301, this church’s discovery serves as a strong reminder of Armenia’s pivotal role within the early Christian world.
Artaxata, the capital of the traditional Armenian kingdom, flourished as a Hellenistic metropolis and remained a big hub for hundreds of years. This discovery reveals more insights into early Christian architecture and highlights Armenia’s role as a Christian stronghold.
As excavations proceed, researchers hope to uncover more details, including the identity of the church’s original dedication.
Each latest discovery guarantees to shed further light on Armenia’s early history and the numerous architectural developments – particularly in regard to places of worship – that helped shape the expansion of Christianity within the region.
