St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan was constructed between 1996 and 2001. The architect was Stepan Kyurkchyan, and the project was undertaken at the behest of the late His Holiness Vazgen I, Catholicos of All Armenians.
On April 7, 1997, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God, the foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid by His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians.
The Cathedral was consecrated on September 23, 2001, by the hand of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. In the Cathedral’s narthex are enshrined the holy relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, brought to Armenia in 2000 from the Church of St. Gregory the Armenian in Naples.
The Cathedral was erected through the benefaction of Richard Manoogian and Louise Manoogian-Simone, in memory of their late parents, Alex and Marie Manoogian. The two chapels were endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis Nazarian, and Mr. and Mrs. Kevork and Linda Kevorkian, while the bell tower was donated by Mr. Eduardo Eurnekian.
At present, due to the renovation of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, Patriarchal Liturgies, ordinations, and other ecclesiastical ceremonies are celebrated in St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral.
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is under the jurisdiction of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
By directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the spiritual overseer of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan is His Grace Bishop Anushavan Jamkochyan.