Christianity in Armenia has very ancient roots: it would have come to Armenia thanks to the work of the disciples Thaddeus and Bartholomew. But the bond with the Holy Land is linked to St. Gregory the Illuminator, who contributed to the conversion of the nation in 301 under the reign of Tiridates III. In the oldest part of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, in the chapel that the status quo identifies as St. Helena's, but that the Armenians call "St. Krikor", you can see the main scenes from the life of the saint, Patron of Armenia. Rev Br KORYOUN BAGHDASARYAN Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem "According to our tradition, after converting the nation to Christianity, Saint Gregory the Illuminator came on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but before entering the Holy Tomb, he wanted to prepare himself. It took him seven years before he could feel ready to enter the Holy Grave. A preparation that took place in this very area." From the conversion of the Armenian nation to Christianity, the baptism of King Tiridates, to the construction of the first cathedral: the paintings on the walls tell a thousand-year-old story. Rev Br KORYOUN BAGHDASARYAN Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem "According to tradition, in fact, it was thrown into the pit by King Tiridate himself who later became ill and miraculously healed by the Saint. We can see here painted the foundation of the first Armenian church, Armenian cathedral and the first Christian cathedral in the world. In 303, in fact, St. Gregory the Illuminator had a vision where Jesus descended from heaven to indicate the place where to build a church. This area and center of Christian spirituality is known as Echmiadzin "ech" "descent" miadzin : "begotten son". The chapel, on the other hand, which is located under the apse discovered in the 1970s, is dedicated to St. Vartan, commander of the Armenian troops in the war of 449 against Persia, who wanted to convert Armenia to Zoroastrianism. (religion of ancient Iran) Rev Br KORYOUN BAGHDASARYAN Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem "This chapter of history in our nation is very important and especially this war; so much so that St. Vartan and his companions were canonized by the Armenian church and every year in February we celebrate St. Vartan." The Patron Saint of Armenia, has his own dedicated church in the western part of the holy city, where he is solemnly celebrated twice a year: one during Lent and the other shortly after Pentecost. Rev Br KORYOUN BAGHDASARYAN Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem "This church was built in the 1880s by German Templars. In the Armenian calendar, we have seven celebrations dedicated to St. Gregory, and two are celebrated here in this church. We hold vespers here every Thursday for the needs of the Armenian community." The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates significant events and people in its spiritual life. A church which, through the centuries and in the midst of many difficulties, has been able to maintain as a church and nation fidelity to Christ.