Originally published in My christian Daily
An Armenian tycoon has been involved in installing the world’s tallest Jesus statue, which stands at 33 metres.
The initiative, led by Armenian businessman and political figure Gagik Tsarukyan, saw crews start assembling the colossal 33m sculpture of Jesus Christ this week onto a pedestal that could bring the total height close to 100m when completed.
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Tsarukyan — one of Armenia’s wealthiest figures and former member of parliament — has personally championed the monument’s construction, saying it will usher in “a new chapter of hope and success” for the nation.
The statue, designed by architect Armen Samvelyan and chosen through a competitive process, depicts Jesus with outstretched arms and is intended to sit atop Mount Hatis — roughly 30km northeast of Yerevan — overlooking much of the country.
At its summit position of more than 2 500m above sea level, the completed complex is expected to be visible from vast areas, with ambitions to surpass other famous Christ monuments, including Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer and Poland’s Christ the King.
Project planners say the site will also include visitor facilities, such as paths, stairways, and possibly cable car access to enhance tourism and economic development.
Despite the fanfare, the project has faced significant opposition and legal challenges since its inception in early 2022. The Armenian Apostolic Church has publicly criticised the statue, arguing it contradicts traditional Armenian Christian practices.
Archaeologists and cultural heritage advocates have also raised alarms about the statue’s location — part of Mount Hatis is home to ancient archaeological sites, including ruins from the Bronze Age — prompting environmental reviews and revisions to construction plans.
Government authorities eventually granted environmental approval in 2025, allowing the project to proceed under specific conditions designed to protect surrounding natural areas.
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