Armenia, the first Christian country in the world

Armenia is a small country in southwestern Asia with a population of only 3 million.

But there is a considerable place in spiritual history: Most historians believe that in 301 AD, it became the first country in the world to approve Christianity.

Today, about 95% of Armenians are Christians, and the country's devout history can be traced through some of its ancient sites and monuments, Kosovo broadcasts.

According to legend, the first head of the Apostolic Church, Armane, was Gregory Enlightenment, son of noble Annag, who killed King Khosrov II of Armenia. Gregory's father was executed for his crime, but Gregory managed to flee to Cappadocia, where he was raised by Bishop St. Vilmilian.

As an adult, Gregory returned to his homeland in hopes of converting the Armenian king and, in extension, the Armenian people to Christianity.

When he learned of Gregor's coming home, King Tiridates III, son of the slain king, Khosrov II, he imprisoned Gregor. The king insisted that his prisoner renounce Christianity, but Gregory refused. After some thirteen years in prison, Gregory had managed to convince the Tiridates of the power of faith, restoring his own religion to the king. And so in 301 AD, Tiridatet III declared Christianity the religion of the state of Armenia.

Many Pagan temples were destroyed when King Tiridat III proclaimed Christianity the State State religion, but Garn is one of the few who survived. Today it stands as a symbol of Armenian Neopaganism and receives more than 136,000 visitors each year, making it one of Armenia's most popular tourist attractions.