# Armenia adopts Christianity (c. 301)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/301-armenia-adopts-christianity
Location: Vagharshapat, Armenia
Themes: Mission

King Tiridates III is converted by Gregory the Illuminator and Armenia becomes, by tradition, the first state to adopt Christianity. At this point in the timeline (c. 301), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Marcellinus (30 June 296 – 25 October 304).

## Why it matters
Armenia adopts Christianity mattered because it carried Christianity to new peoples and regions, changing the map of world Christianity.

Pope at the time: [Pope Marcellinus](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-marcellinus)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Gregory the Illuminator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_the_Illuminator)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Armenia adopts Christianity](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Armenia+adopts+Christianity)
- [Wikipedia — Early Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ante-Nicene_period)