Zoroastrianism in Armenia
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Zoroastrianism has been practiced in Armenia since the fifth century BC. It first reached the country during the Achaemenid and Parthian periods, when it spread to the Armenian Highlands. Prior to the
A structure in the medieval Bagratid city of Ani thought to be a Zoroastrian fire temple.
Gregory the Illuminator
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Gregory the Illuminator was the founder and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He converted Armenia from Zoroastrianism to Christianity in the early fourth century, making Armenia t
Zoroastrianism in Armenia
…massacres and the Armenian genocide at the turn of the 20th century. Medieval Armenian sources narrate that the Arewordikʿ were never converted by Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and that they had been "infected" by Zradasht (Zoroaster). The Arewordikʿ…
A 10th century bas relief of St. Gregory at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross of Aghtamar (Akdamar), Lake Van (today Turkey)
The Baptism of the Armenian People (1892), by Ivan Aivazovsky
A miniature of Gregory and Trdat (as a boar) by Vardan Baghishetsi on a manuscript from Baghesh, Vaspurakan, c. 1569–70
Etchmiadzin Cathedral, 17th century