An Armenian-German research team has uncovered the remains of what is believed to be the oldest archaeologically documented church in Armenia, located in the ancient city of Artaxata. Archaeologists discovered the outlines of an octagonal structure with cross-shaped extensions, dating back to the 4th century AD.
The excavation was carried out by archaeologists from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the University of Münster. Professor Achim Lichtenberger from the university described the discovery as “sensational evidence of early Christianity in Armenia.” The octagonal design was previously unknown in Armenia but is commonly found in the eastern Mediterranean region, where similar structures were built as early as the 4th century.
Within the cross-shaped extensions of the building, the team found remains of wooden platforms, dated to the mid-4th century, as well as marble likely imported from the Mediterranean. The octagonal structure, approximately 30 meters in diameter, featured a simple mortar floor with terracotta tiles.

Tiridates III and Armenia’s Christian Legacy
The discovery was made in Artaxata, once the capital of the ancient Armenian kingdom and an important Hellenistic metropolis. According to legend, in 301 AD, Gregory the Illuminator converted the ruling monarch Tiridates III to Christianity, making Armenia the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion. Nearby, the medieval Khor Virap Monastery stands as a reminder of this significant history.
The excavations in Artaxata are part of a long-term research project that began in 2018, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. The project aims to explore the Hellenistic settlement history of the city. Archaeologists hope further excavations will shed light on the origins of the church and determine to whom it was dedicated.