Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator is one of the most impressive architectural sights in the city of Balti (Balti).
The construction of the temple lasted from 1910 to 1914 in the funds of the wealthy members of the Armenian community of the city, namely - Mary Oksanen and brothers Lukanovic. As the author of the project and chief architect, was invited by the famous architect L. Alexander Krasnosel'skii, a native of Ukraine, who worked for some time in Balti as the city architect. It is worth noting that under his leadership, was erected a large number of new buildings, carried out extensive work on improvement of the city, however, the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory became the best of his creation.
The Church is designed in the traditional style of medieval religious architecture of Armenia, its prototype was made by the famous Cathedral, located in the city of Echmiadzin. Its altitude reaches 17 meters, its appearance is characterized by the balance and simplicity of forms, not devoid of grace. It is noteworthy that the Church of St. Gregory was a single Church for the Armenians of two different faiths – the Armenians-Catholics, who moved here from Western Ukraine, and for the Armenian-Gregorians, who came from the Crimea and the Caucasus.
Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator has an interesting fate. So, after the war the building was given to the needs of the Catholic community, a few years later in the temple opened a sports school for children and youth. In the 90-ies of the last century, the Church of St. Gregory was again placed under the needs of the Catholic community of the city of Balti. Today we are in active negotiations on the return of the Church to the Armenians.
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