‘World’s biggest Jesus’ finally takes shape in Armenia after years of delays

TVP World
May 21 2026

A record-breaking statue of Jesus Christ has started the final stages of construction in Armenia following years of delays and setbacks.

The 33-meter aluminum likeness of Christ will stand atop a 44-meter pedestal, setting a new world record of 77 meters in height.

The statue is being erected on a structural complex housing a visitor center that will bring the total scale of the engineering feat to 101 meters, comfortably dwarfing New York’s iconic 93-meter Statue of Liberty.

The current record is held by the 61-meter Jesus Christ the Savior statue in Sumatra, Indonesia, which stands on an 8-meter plinth. It took the title in 2024, surpassing the previous record set by Poland’s Jesus Christ King of the Universe statue in the western town of Świebodzin.

The Świebodzin monument, like the new project outside the Armenian capital of Yerevan, features a 33-meter Christ figure to represent the 33 years of Jesus’ life. It is situated on top of a huge artificial mound, bringing the height of the entire structure to 52.5 meters.

The record was held for 79 years by the famous Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, which stands 38 meters high including its 8-meter pedestal.

Delays and opposition

Armenia’s gargantuan project was first announced in 2022 by business tycoon and former politician Gagik Tsarukian. It immediately faced objections from the Armenian Church, which opposes idolatry and accused the project of undermining the country’s long Christian heritage.

Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a national religion, formally embracing the faith in 301 AD.

Despite the Church’s protestations, the Armenian government gave the jumbo Jesus project its blessing until a ground-breaking ceremony damaged an ancient fortress before planning permission had been granted.

The plans were shelved and then in 2025, Culture Minister Zhanna Andreasyan declared the structure could not be built at its intended location, on the summit of the 2,528-meter Mount Hatis around 30 kilometers from Yerevan, over archeological fears.

Work resumed later that year after the foundations were moved several hundred meters away and new permits granted.

The mammoth Messiah currently sits in three pieces in a nearby village, waiting to be airlifted into place by helicopter.

Following the statue’s assembly, completion of the whole project is now tentatively scheduled for 2027, according to planners.

Russia Says Armenia Cannot ‘Dance At Two Weddings’

Eurasia Review
May 21 2026

Moscow cannot accept the policy adopted by official Yerevan regarding membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, under which Armenia intends to retain membership until it succeeds in joining the European Union, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said after a meeting of a special Russian Security Council working group.

“Of course, Moscow cannot accept the line currently pursued by Armenia’s leadership, namely the policy of maintaining membership in the Eurasian Economic Union until, so to speak, transitioning to membership in the European Union. Such approaches cannot satisfy us; they are absolutely unacceptable for us,” he said, according to Sputnik Armenia.

Galuzin also recalled that Armenia signed the treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union as well as documents concerning the union’s further development through 2030 and 2045.

“It clearly states that Armenia, like the other members of the union, undertakes to fulfill the provisions of the treaty and to refrain from actions that could jeopardize or hinder Eurasian economic integration,” he said.

The Russian deputy foreign minister added that simultaneous membership in both unions is fundamentally impossible.

“It is impossible to be in two unions at the same time. As they say, Armenia cannot dance at two weddings simultaneously,” Galuzin added, according to RIA Novosti.

He also said that Armenia’s possible accession to the European Union is largely a populist slogan, which Brussels uses in relation to various countries. According to him, similar approaches were previously applied in the cases of Ukraine and Moldova and are now also being used toward Armenia.

During talks with Nikol Pashinyan on April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that simultaneous participation in the customs unions of the European Union and the EEU is impossible. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov also said Armenia’s authorities are attempting to “sit on two chairs,” which harms the development of bilateral Russian-Armenian relations. On May 9, Putin proposed discussing Armenia’s EU-related plans during the upcoming Eurasian Economic Union summit.

U.S. Senate advances measure curbing Trump’s Iran war powers

Iran11:43, 20 May 2026
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The U.S. Senate has advanced a war-powers resolution that would end the Iran war unless President Donald Trump obtains Congress’ authorization, Reuters reported.

The vote on a procedural measure to advance the resolution was 50 to 47, as four of Trump’s fellow Republicans voted with every Democrat but one in favor. Three Republicans missed the vote, according to Reuters.

The result was a victory for lawmakers who have been arguing that Congress, not the president, should have the power to send troops to war, as spelled out in the Constitution. However, it was only a procedural vote.

Even if it eventually passes the 100-member Senate, the resolution ⁠must also pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and garner two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate to survive an expected Trump veto.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, who sponsored the resolution, said a ceasefire offered Trump an ideal opportunity to make his case to Congress as the president has said Tehran has made a new proposal to end the U.S.-Israeli war that began on February 28.

Trump’s Republicans blocked seven previous attempts to advance similar resolutions in the Senate this year. They have also stopped three war-powers resolutions by narrow votes in the House this year.

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Trump to attend G7 summit in France

U. S.12:41, 20 May 2026
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U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the G7 summit in France in June, Axios reported, citing a White House official.

According to the report, Trump wants to speak about linking U.S. aid with trade, promoting the adoption of U.S.-developed artificial intelligence tools, and reducing China’s control over critical mineral supply chains, among other topics at the meeting.

France is the host of this year’s G7, with a leaders’ summit scheduled for June 15–17 in the lakeside resort of Évian-les-Bains, at the foot of the French Alps.

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Top “Strong Armenia” candidate investigated over citizenship disclosure claim

Law09:09, 20 May 2026
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Armenia’s Investigative Committee announced Wednesday that it had opened a criminal case involving Narek Karapetyan, the top candidate on the “Strong Armenia” alliance’s electoral list, over allegations that he concealed his foreign citizenship status while registering for parliamentary elections.

Narek Karapetyan is the nephew of “Strong Armenia” alliance leader Samvel Karapetyan.

Requirements for running for parliament in Armenia include having resided in the country for at least the previous four years and holding exclusively Armenian citizenship throughout that period.

According to the Investigative Committee, Narek Karapetyan concealed his citizenship status while submitting documents to the authorities.

“According to a report of an apparent crime received by the Yerevan City Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia from the Police of Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, parliamentary candidate Narek Karapetyan — who was nominated as the lead candidate of the ‘Strong Armenia’ alliance for the June 7, 2026 National Assembly elections — despite having been warned about the legal liability for providing false information, deliberately concealed information about possessing or having possessed foreign citizenship. Specifically, he submitted a false application to the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs stating that he was not a citizen of another state, thereby concealing information about foreign citizenship that would prevent him from obtaining the status of a public official,” the statement issued by the Investigative Committee said.

It added that criminal proceedings had been initiated under Part 1 of Article 449 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, which concerns concealing information that obstructs obtaining or retaining the status of a public official.

On May 19, reports circulated online claiming that, according to data from Russia’s Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Narek Karapetyan had been listed as a Russian citizen as of 2020.

A document allegedly confirming this was also published.

However, Karapetyan denied the claim during a press briefing, insisting that he holds only Armenian citizenship and has never held foreign citizenship.

By law, even if a candidate held foreign citizenship outside the four-year requirement period, they are still required to disclose it.

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Sebastian Ghiță reacted after his name was mentioned in an Armenian investiga

Informat, Romania
May 20 2026
Lara Maior

Businessman Sebastian Ghiță had a first reaction after his name was mentioned in an investigation by the Armenian publication ‘Fact Investigation Platform’ (FIP), in which a Kremlin agent refers to him in connection with activities aimed at discrediting the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu. Ghiță, who is currently in Belgrade with asylum, stated that the accusations are ‘lies and fabrications forced by the Sorosist press’. In the correspondence of the agent, it is not specified whether he had direct contact with Ghiță. Additionally, Ghiță commented on Nicușor Dan, suggesting that certain individuals in the entourage of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan are trying to control him. He stated that the Soros agents want to suspend President Nicușor Dan and emphasized that Romania should unite with Bessarabia, having Dan as president. Ghiță thus rejected his connections with the Kremlin and reiterated that he will not allow control over Nicușor Dan.

Sources

Yerevan deputy mayor meets AUA officials

Yerevan10:00, 20 May 2026
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Yerevan First Deputy Mayor Armen Pambukhchyan held a meeting with American University of Armenia (AUA) President Dr. Bruce Boghosian and Vice President Ashot Ghazaryan.

Pambukhchyan is currently serving as acting mayor, as Tigran Avinyan has taken a leave of absence to campaign for the Civil Contract party.

During the meeting, Pambukhchyan and AUA officials discussed the development plan for the AUA Triangle Park, as well as issues related to improvements to the area adjacent to the main building and traffic management, City Hall said in a press release. Plans for a new campus were also discussed, with American architects involved in its design.

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Armenia to introduce e-gate system at border checkpoints

Armenia10:18, 20 May 2026
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Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Ghazaryan chaired a meeting with officials to discuss the introduction of an e-gate system at border checkpoints.

Migration and Citizenship Service Director Nelly Davtyan, Chairman of the Information Systems Regulations Commission Nerses Yeritsyan, and other government officials attended the meeting, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Officials discussed the introduction of an e-gate system at border checkpoints, focusing on its technical and operational components.

The system is expected to automate border control procedures, reduce passenger processing times, and enhance identification mechanisms through biometric verification. The meeting also addressed technical maintenance, software support, data processing, and risk management systems, as well as the importance of interagency cooperation and the application of international best practices.

The officials agreed to continue work on the system’s implementation. The new system is planned to be introduced in parallel with the rollout of biometric passports.

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Armenia’s giant Jesus statue could overtake Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer

May 20 2026
The proposed monument on Mount Hatis could soon become the world’s tallest Jesus statue, but in Armenia, the debate is about far more than height
Atreyee Poddar

Armenia is building what could soon become the tallest Jesus Christ statue on Earth. At 252 feet the monument is impossible to ignore. In a region where mountains already carry centuries of faith and conflict, the statue is more like a declaration carved into the skyline.

Armenia’s new Jesus statue could dwarf Christ the Redeemer

The statue itself will reportedly stand at 33 meters tall and symbolise the traditional age of Jesus Christ at crucifixion. But it will be atop a towering pedestal that will bring the total height to roughly 77 meters. If completed as planned, it will overtake Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer and Bolivia’s Cristo de la Concordia in scale.

But the story is not simply about size. Giant Christ statues are rarely just statues. They tend to emerge at moments when nations are trying to say something about identity, endurance, grief or ambition. Armenia’s version arrives after years of war, territorial loss and national uncertainty following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts. For supporters, the monument is framed as a symbol of spiritual resilience for the world’s first officially Christian nation. For critics, it looks like billionaire vanity welded onto sacred terrain.

Mount Hatis rises dramatically above central Armenia and contains archaeological remains, including traces of ancient fortifications. Conservationists and historians have warned that large-scale construction could damage both the ecosystem and heritage of the mountain. Even the Armenian Apostolic Church has reportedly expressed discomfort about the project. Armenian Christianity traditionally leans toward monasteries, stone crosses and austere sacred architecture and not colossal statues visible from miles away.

From Rio to Armenia: the global rise of giant Christ statues

Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer remains the gold standard of sacred statuary. Completed in 1931 atop Corcovado Mountain, the Art Deco figure has become shorthand for Rio itself — arms spread over beaches, favelas and forests alike. It is a planetary icon, all over on postcards, football broadcasts and Instagram grids. In Bolivia, Cristo de la Concordia rises above the city at more than 130 feet tall. Visitors can climb inside the statue through a staircase running up the structure.

Poland’s Christ the King Statue, completed in 2010, briefly held the title of tallest Jesus statue in the world. Locals joke that the crown helped it edge past competitors in height rankings.

Then there is the unexpectedly cinematic Christ of the Ozarks, looming above the Arkansas hills with unmistakable mid-century American grandeur. Critics once compared it to a “giant milk carton with arms,” which only proves that public art criticism has always had sharp elbows.

Across continents, these statues share a common impulse: to anchor belief in landscape. Mountains, cliffs and hilltops matter because height itself suggests transcendence. A towering Christ figure is never built just because. It is designed to dominate horizons and imaginations simultaneously.

World’s tallest Jesus statue being constructed in Armenia

Christian Post
May 20 2026
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor

Construction is underway on what organizers say will be the world’s largest statue of Jesus Christ, with the project now targeting a 2027 completion date after years of delays, a forced relocation and sustained opposition from the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Recent photographs published by Radio Free Europe show work progressing on a mountaintop pedestal on Mount Hatis, a peak rising 8,202 feet roughly 18.6 miles northeast of Yerevan. The statue, cast in three sections, is stored in the nearby village of Zovuni and will be airlifted by helicopter to the mountaintop once the pedestal is ready.

The project was announced in January 2022 by Gagik Tsarukyan, an Armenian businessman and opposition politician, who said the statue would “show the path to revival and light to the Armenian people” following Armenia’s devastating military conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The aluminum figure and its pedestal are planned to reach a combined height of 101 meters, or roughly 331 feet, surpassing Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer, which stands 38 meters high, and New York’s Statue of Liberty, which rises 93 meters.

The project has faced a series of setbacks since it was first unveiled.

A groundbreaking ceremony on the summit of Mount Hatis in July 2022 reportedly caused irreversible damage to sections of an ancient fortress on the site.

Armenia’s culture minister, Zhanna Andreasian, announced in January 2025 that construction could not proceed at that location. The pedestal site was moved several hundred meters to a lower peak, permits were issued and work on the foundation resumed in September 2025.

Installation of the statue began the following November.

The Armenian Apostolic Church has opposed the project from the start. Regarded as one of the world’s oldest churches, it considers depictions of Christ in statue form contrary to centuries of Armenian religious tradition.

The church’s Supreme Spiritual Council met on March 23 and reaffirmed its position, stating that it does not consider installation of the statue acceptable, according to a statement from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Jesus statues are treated as idols under Armenian religious tradition, and public Christian monuments in the country are customarily rendered as carved khachkar cross stones.

The council said it would find a platform designed on the principle of those cross stones acceptable as an alternative.

Rare Christ statues that do exist in Armenia have been vandalized.

Armenia’s government expressed support for the privately funded project in 2022 as a potential tourist attraction.

However, public attitudes toward the monument are largely negative, and Richard Giragosian, director of the Yerevan-based Regional Studies Center, alleged the project is “rooted in the personal ego” of Tsarukyan, who he called “one of the more egregious corrupt Armenian oligarchs.”

Tsarukyan, who leads the opposition Prosperous Armenia party, has said that once the Jesus statue is finished, he plans to build a monumental Noah’s Ark memorial, claiming the two structures together will attract millions of tourists, according to OC Media.

Tsarukyan’s public profile has also been complicated by legal proceedings involving his son, Nver Tsarukyan, who is wanted in Armenia in connection with a 2024 shooting incident. Nver Tsarukyan traveled to Belarus and Russia after the criminal case was opened and has reportedly remained there. Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office said it has formally requested his extradition from Belarus.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he would “drag his son back from Belarus by the scruff of his neck and bring him to justice.”

https://www.christianpost.com/news/worlds-tallest-jesus-statue-being-constructed-in-armenia.html