Saint Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral

Saint Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral
Basic information
Location Oshakan, Aragatsotn Province, Armenia
Affiliation Armenian Apostolic Church
Territory Armenia
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Church
Status Active
Architectural description
Architectural type Basilica without dome
Architectural style Armenian
Groundbreaking 1875
Completed 1879

Saint Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral is a 19th-century church in the Oshakan village of Aragatsotn Province, Armenia. Currently, it is the seat of the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The church is famous for being the burial place of Saint Mesrop Mashtots; the creator of the Armenian alphabet.

The church was built between 1875 and 1879 by Catholicos Gevork IV of Armenia, replacing an old chapel built by Prince Vahan Amatouni back in 443. The belfry was added in 1884.[1]

During the recent years, the entrance to the church was decorated with 36 khachkars (cross-stones), depicting the 36 original letters of the Armenian alphabet created by Saint Mesrop.

References

Coordinates: 40°15′31″N 44°18′56″E / 40.25861°N 44.31556°E / 40.25861; 44.31556

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