In 301 AD, Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion, a decision that would profoundly shape its culture, identity, and history for millennia.
Armenia's adoption of Christianity in 301 AD marked a pivotal moment in world history. Under King Tiridates III and through the efforts of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia became the first nation to officially embrace Christianity as its state religion.
This momentous decision came after Gregory, who had been imprisoned for 13 years in a pit at Khor Virap, emerged to heal King Tiridates of a mysterious illness. The king's subsequent conversion led to the mass baptism of the Armenian people in the Euphrates River.
The establishment of Christianity profoundly influenced Armenian culture, leading to the creation of the Armenian alphabet by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD, the development of a rich theological and literary tradition, and the construction of thousands of churches and monasteries across the Armenian highlands.
The Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the oldest Christian institutions in the world, has remained the spiritual heart of the Armenian nation through centuries of foreign domination, persecution, and diaspora. It continues to serve as a vital link connecting Armenians worldwide to their ancestral heritage.