Armenia is the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion, a heritage exemplified by the thousands of monasteries spread across the country (the Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia, pictured above, dates back to AD 301-303). Indeed, the country boasts a unique tapestry of historical and cultural monuments, both from Christian and pre-Christian eras. 

Beyond these landmarks, Armenia is home to a rich mosaic of rare Christian texts, preserved in the Matenadaran, the country's manuscript museum. Armenian illumination, a revered artistic tradition, celebrates the essence of Christianity through a rich tapestry of iconic images. These time-honored visuals, meticulously replicated in Gospel books, encapsulate core themes of Christian faith.

The Garni Temple, renowned as the most iconic representation of Armenia's pre-Christian era, stands as the sole Greco-Roman colonnaded edifice in Armenia. Constructed in the elegant Ionic order, the Garni Temple holds the distinction of being the easternmost edifice of the Greco-Roman world. It is also the only remaining Greco-Roman temple within the territories of the former Soviet Union.

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