St. Sarkis Church, Yerevan

From the Victory Bridge in Yerevan, which gracefully spans the deep gorge of the Hrazdan River, one can clearly see one of Armenia’s most cherished spiritual landmarks — the Vicarial Cathedral of Surb Sarkis, dedicated to a beloved national saint and the patron of lovers. The cathedral stands in close proximity to the Parajanov House-Museum, and its striking silhouette is a staple on guided tours through the Armenian capital.

This sacred church bears the name of Saint Sarkis the Warrior and Strategist, a general who served under Emperor Constantine the Great in Cappadocia during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Sarkis distinguished himself in numerous military exploits but is remembered above all for his martyrdom. Together with his son and fourteen of his loyal soldiers, he was executed for his Christian faith. More than a military hero, Sarkis was also a fiery preacher: with the blessing of the emperor, he built churches atop pagan temples, and through his impassioned sermons and indomitable spirit, he converted many pagan soldiers to Christianity.

The cathedral is built in traditional Armenian architectural style. Its forms are restrained, and the interior is austere, save for the richly adorned altar. This is the third church to rise on this site, opposite the ancient Erebuni Fortress — its predecessors having been destroyed by the earthquakes that frequently shake this mountainous land. The current structure dates back to the first half of the 19th century. Due to its initially modest design, the church was long considered a rather plain example of ecclesiastical architecture.

However, in the 1970s, under the direction of Catholicos Vazgen I, the church underwent a sweeping transformation to reflect its elevated status as a vicarial cathedral. The restoration, led by renowned architects Rafayel Israelyan and Armenak Ghulyan, gave new life to the building. It was clad in vibrant orange tuff stone, a bell tower was added, the interior was modernized, and a gallery for the church choir was constructed. This extensive renovation was generously funded by the family of Sarkis Kyurchukyan, an Armenian philanthropist living abroad, whose devotion to his heritage helped shape the church’s renewed grandeur.

Though the church is relatively modest in scale—just 23 meters in height—it radiates reverence and quiet nobility. Inside, the altar is richly decorated, and twelve apostles gaze down from the walls in solemn dignity. Gentle light filters through the pointed arches of the vaults, infusing the sacred space with a soft, ethereal glow. The updated interior is clearly modern in its execution, yet a fragment of the original décor survives — a small, poignant section visible in the side chapel to the right of the entrance, whispering of the church’s enduring past.