The St. Poghos-Petros Church, in the core of Yerevan

The church, renowned among the landmarks of Yerevan, was often chronicled by European travelers journeying through the city. Its austere architectural design classifies it as a domeless three-nave basilica, typical of the 5th-6th centuries.

Interestingly, while the church’s inception is attributed to the 5th century, excavations during its demolition revealed remnants of an even older structure. Beneath lay the foundations of a grand pagan temple and its encompassing walls, indicating that as early as the 3rd century, a significant religious site had been established here.

This pagan temple was later transformed into a Christian sanctuary in the 5th century. Historical records suggest that renovations were undertaken in both the 7th and 12th centuries. However, a devastating earthquake in 1679 laid waste to this revered structure, along with other temples in the vicinity. Efforts were made to revive its glory, and by the 19th century, the church had been meticulously refurbished.

Tragically, in the early 1930s, the St. Poghos-Petros Church, nestled in the core of Yerevan, fell victim to the relentless bulldozers of the Bolshevik regime. This, despite fervent public outcry. In its place now stands the Moscow cinema, a stark reminder of a heritage lost.

Artatsolum