AN OLIGARCH is erecting the largest statue of Jesus in the world to rival Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer.
The 77-meter-high monument near Yerevan, Armenia, is the brainchild of Gagik Tsarukyan, a businessman, former member of Parliament – and ex-world champion in arm-wrestling.
The bust sculpture of Jesus Christ, a part of a giant sculpture, by Armenian sculptor Armen SamvelyaneCredit: AFP
The entire sculpture will have a height of 33 metersCredit: AFP
Millionaire and former arm wrestling champion of the world Gagik Tsarukian (L)Credit: AFP
It is a toss-up what is more controversial in the country – Tsarukyan, who was previously charged with bribery and corruption, including buying at least 17,000 votes, or his plan for Mount Hatis.
He launched his project in the village of Zovuni in 2022, saying that it will serve as a “guardian of our country and people”.
The goal was to build the statue so high that it is visible from any part of Armenia.
The Armenian Apostolic Church blasted the idea as inappropriate, warning that it goes against Armenian Christian tradition.
That did not stop Tsarukyan from organising a contest for the statue and announcing its winner in May 2022.
Designed by sculptor Armen Manvelyan, the statue will stand 33 metres tall atop a 44-metre pedestal to be perched on Mount Hatis.
This would make it the tallest Christian figure on the planet – taller than Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro or, the current record-holder, Christ the King in Świebodzin, Poland.
There are also concerns that the statue might pose risks to natural and cultural monuments on Mount Hatis.
The Armenian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture ordered a halt to the project in July 2022.
This happened one day after it officially began construction.
Tsarukyan vowed to amend the project to address the ministry’s concerns, and pledged to preserve the monuments.
Another element to the controversy is that the Jesus statue is supported by Armenia’s once popular Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan.
Under his leadership, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians were forcibly – almost the entire population of the region – after a military offensive by Azerbaijan.
Nearly three years later, the statue remains uncompleted, and Tsarukyan is yet to share a firmer date.
“That depends on the will of God,” the tycoon previously said.
In a post on Facebook in September 2025, he shared a photo of himself in front of the unfinished project, addressing fellow Armenians: “The work to erect the statue of Jesus Christ has begun and will soon advance with full momentum.
“I am confident that this initiative will open a new chapter in our nation’s history – one filled with hope and achievement.”
Tsarukyan is one of the wealthiest people in Armenia, and has previously been compared to Donald Trump.
An official from a US state department for European and Eurasian Affairs said about the politician as his former party was gathering steam in 2006: “Tsarukyan’s motives are questioned by many in Armenia’s elite.
“His personal style, which would make Donald Trump look like an ascetic, certainly adds flavour to the Yerevan political scene.”
Gagik Tsarukyan (L) in front of his projectCredit: Youtube/Gagik Tsarukyan
Children ride a scooter in front of the bust sculpture of Jesus ChristCredit: AFP
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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