Araratian Pontifical Diocese ( hy, Արարատյան Հայրապետական թեմ ''Araratyan Hayrapetakan t'em'') is the largest diocese of the

Armenian Apostolic Church , native_name_lang = hy , icon = Armenian Apostolic Church logo.svg , icon_width = 100px , icon_alt = , image = Էջմիածնի_Մայր_Տաճար.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , a ...

and one of the oldest dioceses in the world, covering the city of

Yerevan Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and i ...

and the

Ararat Province Ararat ( hy, Արարատ, ), is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. Its capital and largest city is the town of Artashat. The province is named after the biblical Mount Ararat. It is bordered by Turkey from the west and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan ...

within

Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ''O ...

History

The origin of Araratian Pontifical Diocese dates back the beginning of the 4th century. With the Christianzation of Armenia, Saint

Gregory the Illuminator Gregory the Illuminator ( Classical hy, Գրիգոր Լուսաւորիչ, reformed: Գրիգոր Լուսավորիչ, ''Grigor Lusavorich'';, ''Gregorios Phoster'' or , ''Gregorios Photistes''; la, Gregorius Armeniae Illuminator, cu, Svyas ...

established the Catholicosate of All Armenians in Vagharshapat, as well as the Araratian Pontifical Diocese and appointed Bishop Albianus as the first primate vicar of the newly-founded diocese. The name of the diocese is derived from

Mount Ararat Mount Ararat or , ''Ararat''; or is a snow-capped and dormant compound volcano in the extreme east of Turkey. It consists of two major volcanic cones: Greater Ararat and Little Ararat. Greater Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and th ...

; the symbol of the Armenian nation. At first, the diocese included the territories of the Ararat plain, Nakhijevan, Kotayk and the western territories of Lake Sevan. It is believed that the diocese was commonly known as the ''Diocese of Yerevan'' between the 15th and 19th centuries. Under the Russian rule during the mid-19th century, the jurisdiction of the diocese was expanded to include the territories of Syunik and Shirak as well, followed by the area of Kars in 1878, covering almost the entire area of

Eastern Armenia Eastern Armenia ( hy, Արևելյան Հայաստան ''Arevelyan Hayastan'') comprises the eastern part of the Armenian Highlands, the traditional homeland of the Armenian people. Between the 4th and the 20th centuries, Armenia was partitione ...

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Araratian Pontifical Diocese had 643 churches, 13 monastic complexes and more than 150 schools functioning under its jurisdiction. In August 1920, upon a kontakion issued by Catholicos

George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother ...

, the territory of Shirak was separated from the Araratian Diocese to form the Diocese of Shirak. After the Treaty of Moscow in 1921, the Araratian Diocese lost the territories of Kars and Nakhijevan. The diocese lost most of its properties under the Soviet rule between 1920 and 1991. With the independence of Armenia in 1991, the Armenian Church was reorganized, most of the properties were returned to the church and many new dioceses were established based on the

administrative divisions of Armenia Administration may refer to: Management of organizations * Management, the act of directing people towards accomplishing a goal ** Administrative Assistant, traditionally known as a Secretary, or also known as an administrative officer, administ ...

. Currently, the Araratian Pontifical Diocese is the largest diocese of the Armenian Church, with around 1.3 million people under its jurisdiction. The primate vicar of the diocese is Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan, serving since 1999. The diocesan headquarters are located in the capital Yerevan, next to the Saint Sarkis Cathedral.

Active churches

As of June 2017, the diocese has the below listed churches and chapels functioning under its jurisdiction, operating throughout

and

, with the exception of the 17th-century

Khor Virap Khor Virap ( hy, Խոր Վիրապ, lit=deep dungeon) is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat Plain in Armenia, near the border with Turkey, about south of Artashat, Ararat Province, within the territory of ancient Artaxata. The monaster ...

monastic complex in Ararat Province, the Cathedral of Saint Gregory in Yerevan opened in 2001, and the Surp Anna Church in Yerevan opened in 2015, which are directly regulated by the

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin ( hy, Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածին, translit=Mayr At’oř Surb Ēĵmiatsin), known in Armenian as simply the Mother See (Մայր Աթոռ, ''Mayr At’oř''), is the governing body of the Armen ...

.Churches of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese
/ref> Here is the list of churches, monasteries and chapels functioning under the jurisdiction of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, along with their location and year of consecration:

Churches

;In Yerevan * Katoghike Church, 1264 * Saint Hakob Church of Kanaker, 1679 *

Zoravor Surp Astvatsatsin Church Zoravor Surp Astvatsatsin Church ( hy, Զորավոր Սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի (''Zoravor Surp Astvatsatsin yekeghets'i'')) is the oldest surviving church in Yerevan. It was previously known as ''Surp Astvatsatsin'' (Holy Mo ...

, 1694 *Surp Gevork Church of Noragavit, 17th century * Saint John the Baptist Church, 1710 * Saint Sarkis Cathedral, 1842 *Surp Kiraki Church, 19th century *Holy Mother of God Church of Nork-Marash, 1995 *Holy Vartanants Martyrs Church of Yerablur, 1998 *Holy Mother of God Church of Malatia-Sebastia, 1998 * Saint Sarkis Church of Nor Nork, 1999 *Holy Mother of God Church of Avan, Yerevan, 2002 *Holy Martyrs Church of Davtashen, 2003 * Holy Trinity Church, 2005 *Surp Khach Church of Charbakh, 2006 *Holy Mother of God Church of Nor Nork, 2014 *Holy Martyrs Church of Nubarashen, 2015 File:Kathoghile, Yerevan.JPG, Katoghike Church, 1264 File:S. Hakob Church 1679 Kanaker.JPG, Saint Hakob Church of Kanaker, 1679 File:Zoravar 1.JPG, Zoravor Surp Astvatsatsin Church, 1694 File:Եկեղեցական Համալիր Նորագավթի Ս. Գևորգ (48).JPG, Surp Gevork Church of Noragavit, 17th century File:St John The Baptist Church of Yerevan.jpg, Saint John the Baptist Church, 1710 File:Saint-sarkis erevan.JPG, Saint Sarkis Cathedral, 1842 File:Surb Kiraki Church, Noragavit.JPG, Surp Kiraki Church, 19th century File:Yerevan, Nork-Marash district, Surb Astvatsatsin Church.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church of Nork-Marash, 1995 File:Yerablur and Saint Vartan chapel, 2009 (1).jpg, Holy Vartanants Martyrs Church of Yerablur, 1998 File:Erevani Surb Mariam Astvacacin ekexeci 38.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church of Malatia-Sebastia, 1998 File:Սուրբ Սարգիս եկեղեցի, Նոր Նորք, Երեւան.JPG, Saint Sarkis Church of Nor Nork, 1999 File:Եկեղեցի Ս. Աստվածածին (11).JPG, Holy Mother of God Church of Avan, Yerevan, 2002 File:Holy Martyrs church, Davtashen.jpg, Holy Martyrs Church of Davtashen, 2003 File:The Holy Trinity Church, Malatia-Sebastia district, Yerevan, Armenia adjusted.JPG, Holy Trinity Church, 2005 File:Surb Khach Church (15).jpg, Surp Khach Church of Charbakh, 2006 File:Նանսենի թանգարան.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church of Nor Nork, 2014 File:Holy Martyrs, Nubarashen.jpg, Holy Martyrs Church of Nubarashen, 2015 ;In Ararat Province *Surp Hakob Church, Ararat village, 1866 *Saint Gregory Church,

Byuravan Byuravan ( hy, Բյուրավան) is a village in the Artashat Municipality of the Ararat Province of Armenia. History In 1936-1967 the village was engaged in cotton making, hence the name of the village - Bambakavan. In 1978, on the initiative ...

, mid 19th century, rebuilt in 1999 *Holy Mother of God Church, Dimitrov, 1868 *Holy Mother of God Church,

Verin Artashat Verin Artashat ( hy, Վերին Արտաշատ) is a village in the Artashat Municipality of the Ararat Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands ...

, 19th century *Surp Hovhannes Church, Mkhchyan, 1890 *Holy Mother of God Church, Dalar, 1890 *Surp Sarkis Church, Argavand, 1897 *Surp Hakob Church,

Mrgavan Mrgavan ( hy, Մրգավան; formerly, Gedaklu) is a village in the Ararat Province of Armenia. See also * Ararat Province Ararat ( hy, Արարատ, ), is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. Its capital and largest city is the town of Art ...

, 1905 *Saint George's Church,

Kanachut Kanachut ( hy, Կանաչուտ) is a village in the Artashat Municipality of the Ararat Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia. ...

, 1908 *Holy Mother of God Church,

Vedi Vedi ( hy, Վեդի), is a town and urban municipal community in the Ararat Province of Armenia, located along the Vedi River, south of the capital Yerevan, and southeast of the provincial centre Artashat. According to the 2011 census, the po ...

, 2000 *Surp Harutyun Church, Nerkin Dvin, 2000 *Saint George's Church,

Marmarashen Marmarashen ( hy, Մարմարաշեն, lit=Marble village), known until 1967 as Aghamzalu ( hy, Ախամզալու), Ադամյան, Ն., ed. Հայկական ՍՍՀ վարչա-տերիտորիալ բաժանումը. Երևան : Հայաստ� ...

, 2002 *Holy Mother of God Church,

Arevshat Arevshat ( hy, Արևշատ) is a village in the Artashat Municipality of the Ararat Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.Th ...

, 2006 *Holy Mother of God Church,

Shahumyan Shahumyan Province ( hy, Շահումյան, Shahumyan, also spelled ''Shaumyan'' and ''Shahumian'') is a claimed province of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh, ''de jure'' part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The capital of the province was ...

, 2009 *Saint George's Church, Masis, 2009 *Holy Mother of God Church,

Norabats Norabats ( hy, Նորաբաց) is a village in the Masis Municipality of the Ararat Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The ...

, 2014 *Saint John the Evangelist's Church,

Artashat Artashat ( hy, Արտաշատ); Hellenized as Artaxata ( el, Ἀρτάξατα) and Artaxiasata ( grc, Ἀρταξιάσατα), was a large commercial city and the capital of ancient Armenia during the reign of king Artaxias I; the founder of t ...

2015 * Saint Thaddeus Church, Masis, 2015 File:Saint Hakob church, Ararat (2).jpg, Surp Hakob Church, Ararat village, 1866 File:St Astvatsastin, Dimitrov, ArmAg.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Dimitrov, 1868 File:Սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի (Վերին Արտաշատ) (1).JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Verin Artashat, 19th century File:Դալարի սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցին, ArmAg (3).jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Dalar, 1890 File:St. Sarkis church (Argavand), 2016 (11).JPG, Surp Sarkis Church, Argavand, 1897 File:Սուրբ Հակոբ եկեղեցի (5).jpg, Surp Hakob Church, Mrgavan, 1905 File:St Gevorg, Kanachout, Ararat Region (20).JPG, *Saint George's Church, Kanachut, 1908 File:Սուրբ Աստվածածին, Վեդի.JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Vedi, 2000 File:Saint Harutyun Church, Dvin ! (1).jpg, Surp Harutyun Church, Nerkin Dvin, 2000 File:Arevchat.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church, Arevshat, 2006 File:St Mary Church, Shahumyan (6).JPG, Holy Mother of God Church, Shahumyan, 2009 File:St Gevorg Church, Masis (11).jpg, Saint George's Church, Masis, 2009 File:St. Hovhannes, Artashat, 2016 (9).JPG, Saint John the Evangelist's Church, Artashat, 2015 File:Saint Tadeos6.jpg, Saint Thaddeus Church, Masis, 2015

Chapels

*Saint Ananias' Chapel, Yerevan, 1889 *Surp Khach Zoravor Chapel, Yerevan, 1991 *Surp Karapet Chapel,

Berkanush Berkanush ( hy, Բերքանուշ) is a village in the Artashat Municipality of the Ararat Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western As ...

, rebuilt in 2006 File:Ananias' chapel, Yerevan, Jan. 6, 2016 (2).jpg, Saint Ananias' Chapel, Yerevan, 1889 File:Սուրբ Կարապետ մատուռ, Բերքանուշ (3).jpg, Surp Karapet Chapel, Berkanush, rebuilt in 2006

Inactive/ruined churches and monasteries

This is an incomplete list of inactive or ruined churches and monasteries in the territory regulated by the Araratian Pontifical Diocese: *Holy Mother of God Chapel of Avan, Yerevan, 4th century *

Katoghike Tsiranavor Church of Avan Holy Mother of God Katoghike Church of Avan ( hy, Ավանի Սուրբ Աստվածածին Կաթողիկե Եկեղեցի, Avani Surb Astvatsatsin Kat'oghike Yekeghets'i; also known as the church of Katoghike Tsiranavor, later renamed Surp Hovh ...

, Yerevan, 591 *Surp Hovhannes Chapel of Avan, Yerevan, 12-13th centuries *

Aghjots Vank Aghjots Vank ( hy, Աղջոց վանք); also known as the Saint Stephen Monastery of Goght ( hy, Գողթի Սուրբ Ստեփանոս վանք), is a 13th-century monastery situated along a tributary of the Azat River Valley within the Khosrov ...

near

Goght Goght ( hy, Գողթ; formerly Goghot) is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, located on the right bank of the upper-Azat River. It is known from 13th-century manuscripts as Goghot. It is located near Garni and sits along the road leadin ...

and

Garni Garni ( hy, Գառնի), is a major village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is known for the nearby classical temple. As of the 2011 census, the population of the village is 6,910. History The settlement has an ancient history, and is b ...

, 13th century *Hovhannes Karapet Monastery near

Lusashogh Lusashogh ( hy, Լուսաշող) is a village in the Vedi Municipality of the Ararat Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The ...

, 13th century *Holy Mother of God Church of Kanaker, Yerevan, 1695 *Holy Mother of God Parochial Church of Avan, Yerevan, 19th century File:Sb Astvatsatsin Chapel, Avan, Yerevan1.JPG, Holy Mother of God Chapel of Avan, Yerevan, 4th century File:S. Hovhannes Avan.JPG, Surp Hovhannes Chapel of Avan, Yerevan, 5th century File:Avan 1.JPG, Katoghike Tsiranavor Church of Avan, Yerevan, 591 File:Աղջոց վանք 02.jpg, Aghjots Vank near Goght and Garni, 13th century File:ՀՈՎՀԱՆՆՈՒ Ս. ԿԱՐԱՊԵՏ 14.jpg, Hovhannes Karapet Monastery near Lusashogh, 13th century File:S. Astvatsatsin Church 1695 Kanaker.jpg, Holy Mother of God Church of Kanaker, Yerevan, 1695 File:Avan Oldchurch.JPG, Holy Mother of God Parochial Church of Avan, Yerevan, 19th century

References

{{coord missing, Armenia Armenian Apostolic dioceses Christianity in Armenia Yerevan Ararat Province Oriental Orthodox dioceses in Armenia Mount Ararat