page_title: Gyumri
section_title: Religion
hierarchical_section_title: Gyumri / Demographics / Religion
caption_attribution_description: English: Grigor Lusavorich church in Gyumri
context_page_description: Gyumri is an urban municipal community and the second largest city in Armenia, serving as the administrative centre of Shirak Province in the northwestern part of the country. By the end of the 19th century, when the city was known as Alexandropol, it was one of the largest cities of Russian-ruled Eastern Armenia with a population similar to that of Yerevan. It was renamed to Leninakan during the Soviet period. The city's population grew above 200,000 prior to the 1988 Spitak earthquake, when it was devastated. As of the 2011 census, the city had a population of 121,976, down from 150,917 reported at the 2001 census.
  Gyumri is the seat of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
context_section_description: The majority of the population in Gyumri belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God of Gyumri -also known as the Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God- is the seat of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Church.
  The Armenian Catholic Church is a minority in Armenia and is under the jurisdiction of the Ordinariate of Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe, based in Gyumri. There are around 16,000 Armenian Catholics in the Shirak Province. The seat of the Ordinariate for Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe for the Armenian Catholic Church is the Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs in Gyumri.
  The presence of the small Russian Orthodox community along with the Russian military base personnel is marked with the Saint Alexandra the Martyr's Church (within the Russian base), the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Church of Saint Arsenije.
  However, many historic churches in Gyumri were either ruined or destroyed, including:
  Dprevank Monastery and the Basilic Church of old Kumayri dating back to the 7th century: it was the first ever church built in old Kumayri. However, the monastic complex was completely destroyed in 1852, during the construction of Russian military barracks.
  Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, opened in 1850. It was completely destroyed in 1933–34.
  Holy Mother of God Armenian Catholic Church, built between 1849 and 1854. Although standing, the building was turned into a private residence during the Soviet days.
  Russian church of the Seversky 18th Dragoon Regiment, built in 1856. It was consecrated in 1901 and destroyed during the Soviet days.
  Russian church of the Caucasian 7th Rifle Regiment, built during  the 1850s. It was completely destroyed during the Soviet days.
  Russian church of the Caucasian 8th Rifle Regiment, built during  the 1850s. It was completely destroyed during the Soviet days.
  Russian church of the Baku 154th Infantry Regiment, built during  the 1850s. It was completely destroyed during the Soviet days.
  As of 2017, Gyumri is home to the following church buildings:
  Saint Alexandra the Martyr's Church within the complex of the Russian military base, built in 1837–42. It was completely renovated and reopened on May 8, 2008.
  Church of the Holy Saviour or Surp Amenaprkich, constructed between 1859–1873: designed to resemble the Cathedral of Ani. The church was heavily damaged by the 1988 Spitak earthquake and is currently under reconstruction.
  Surp Nshan or Holy Sign Church: Opened in 1870.
  Saint Gregory the Illuminator's Church, built between 1875 and 1880.
  Saint Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, locally known as Plplan Zham (the Shimmering Chapel), built between 1875 and 1880.
  Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God: also known as Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God, constructed between 1873–1884. Currently, it is the seat of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
  Saint Arsenije Russian Orthodox Church of, built during the 1870s and opened in 1910. It is locally known as the church of Kazachi Post.
  Saint Hripsime Chapel, opened in 1992.
  Saint Jacob of Nisibis Church: or Surp Hakob Mtsbinetsi Church, opened in 2005.
  Surp Sarkis Chapel, built in 2008 and opened in 2011.
  Surp Minas Chapel, opened in 2013.
  Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs of the Catholic Armenians, opened in 2015.
caption: Saint Gregory Church
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