Construction initiates on massive Jesus statue in Armenia

In a bold and ambitious move, Armenian tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan has announced the commencement of a monumental project – the installation of a 100-meter-high statue of Jesus Christ on Mount Hatis. The announcement was made on Tsarukyan's Facebook account on Thursday.

The statue, designed by Armen Samvelyan, was chosen through a contest and is expected to reach up to 100 meters in total, including the pedestal. Tsarukyan aims for the statue to be visible from any part of Armenia, similar to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

The project was initiated following Armenia's defeat in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020, with the goal of helping Armenians overcome despair. Tsarukyan, one of the richest people in Armenia, has funded the project himself and his family, rejecting offers for financial contribution from Armenians around the world.

Tsarukyan encourages public participation in the construction, offering opportunities such as planting a tree or placing a stone. Anyone who wishes to join the construction is welcome, according to Tsarukyan, who also intends to be present at the construction site and work alongside the builders.

The project has raised concerns about the risks the statue might pose to natural and cultural monuments on Mount Hatis in the Kotayk region. The Armenian Apostolic Church has spoken against the statue, urging the authors of the initiative to refrain from projects that contradict the church's traditions.

In 2022, Tsarukyan launched the Jesus statue project. Previously, he served as an MP of his Prosperouse Armenia party. The project was praised by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who stated that it would attract more tourists to Armenia.

Gagik Tsarukyan is not new to philanthropy. In the past, he has funded various charitable and cultural projects in Armenia. The installation of the Jesus statue on Mount Hatis is set to proceed at full scale, marking another significant contribution to Armenia's cultural landscape.