Armenia
was the first country to recognize Christianity as the official state religion
in 301 AD, twelve years before Constantine's decree granting tolerance to
Christianity within the Roman Empire. Ever since, Armenia has claimed the
privilege of being the first Christian nation, and the wealth of Christian
art produced in Armenia since then is testimony to the fundamental importance
of the Christian faith to the Armenian people.

This
extensive new survey of Armenian Christian art, published to accompany a major
exhibition at The British Library, celebrates the Christian art tradition in
Armenia during the last 1700 years. The extraordinary quality and range of Armenian
art which is documented includes sculpture, metalwork, textiles, ceramics, wood
carvings and illuminated manuscripts and has been drawn together from collections
throughout the world—many of the examples have never before been seen outside
Armenia.

In
his authoritative text, Dr. Vrej Nersessian, Curator at The British Library,
charts the development of Christianity in Armenia. This fascinating history is
essential to an understanding of the art and religious tradition of Armenia, a
country in which the sense of the sacred extends well beyond the purely
religious, infiltrating the entire fabric of Armenian affairs to create a
fascinating culture.

This
sumptuously illustrated book will be of immense value to anyone with an
interest in Byzantine art and culture, the history of Christianity and the
history of Armenia and the Middle Orient.