Saint Gregory the Illuminator - Vatican City State
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The monument of St. Gregory the Illuminator, blessed and inaugurated by Pope John Paul II in 2005, is located at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City State.
Waymark Code: WM10MMG
Location: Vatican City State
Date Posted: 05/28/2019
Views: 4
The almost 18 feet high statue was placed in the last remaining empty niche along the walls leading to St. Peter’s Basilica. It is situated at the site where visitors wait to climb the cupola.
An almost two-foot gilt bronze Armenian Cross is situated in the right hand of the statue and a Holy Bible in the left. Two Armenian crosses and Saint Gregory’s adorn the statue’s vestment.
The Latin and Armenian inscription on the pedestal reads "Saint Gregory Illuminator of Armenia CCCI."
CCCI is the Roman numeral for 301, the year Armenia, as a nation, was converted to Christianity via the efforts and influence of St. Gregory the Illuminator, thus making Armenia the first Christian nation; the inventors and pioneers of Christendom; therefore, the Vatican & the Roman Catholic Church recognize that the Armenians were the first Christian nation on earth.
Saint Gregory the Illuminator (c.257 – c.331) is the patron saint and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He was a religious leader who is credited with converting Armenia from paganism to Christianity in 301. Armenia thus became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official religion.
In his later years, Gregory withdrew to a small sanctuary near Mount Sebuh (Mt. Sepuh) in the Daranali province (Manyats Ayr, Upper Armenia) with a small convent of monks, where he remained until his death.
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