PATRIARCH OF ALL RUSSIA ALEXIY II ARRIVED IN YEREVAN TO TAKE PART IN CELEBRATIONS OF 1700 ANNIVERSARY OF CHRISTIANITY AS STATE RELIGION OF ARMENIA

Today, the Patriarch of all Russia Alexiy II arrived in Yerevan to take part in solemn celebrations dedicated to the 1700 anniversary of adoption of Christianity as state religion.

Today, Alexiy II met with the Armenian President Robert Kocharian. Tomorrow, on September 23 the Patriarch, as well as other guests of the state will take part in opening ceremony and blessing of the biggest temple in Armenia - new Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, in central Yerevan.

Construction of the Cathedral was timed to the 1700 anniversary of adoption of Christianity as state religion. Decision on construction of the main church of Armenia was made July 14, 1989, by Spiritual Board of All Armenian Church by the then Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I. The cathedral contains relics of the saint that were handed to Garekin II by Pope John Paul II during a visit to the Vatican last November. The relics had been preserved at Naples, in southern Italy, for five centuries.