Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan on Saturday was on hand at the consecration ceremony of the St. Gregory of Narek Church in Armavir city (photo).   

The groundbreaking ceremony of this sole basilica in the regional center of the Armavir Region was held in 2012. The architect of the church is Mikayel Mkrtchyan, and it was built under the patronage of benefactor Karen Mkrtchyan.

The primate of the Armavir Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church awarded Mkrtchyan with the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal, and the mayor of Armavir bestowed upon him the title of Honorary Citizen of Armavir. 

The residents of Armavir city, where there was no church until now, will no longer have to go out of town to conduct a church wedding.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am