Armenia adopts Christianity
Tiridates III makes Christianity the religion of his realm
King Tiridates III, converted by Gregory the Illuminator, made Christianity the state religion of Armenia. By the traditional date Armenia became the first Christian state, and the cathedral of Etchmiadzin was founded at Vagharshapat.
Wikipedia (Russian) · Wikipedia (English) · 4th century
Did you know
Among the first Christian states were Armenia (traditionally 301) and Aksum in Ethiopia (around 330). Rome merely legalized Christianity in 313.
Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Europe
- 313 Edict of Milan — 12 years later
Asia
- c. 320 Founding of the Gupta Empire — 19 years later
Alive at the time
- Constantine the Great (aged 29)
- Anthony the Great (aged 50)