Saint Nikolai Cathedral, Yerevan, Former Russian Orthodox cathedral site in Kentron, Yerevan, Armenia

Saint Nikolai Cathedral was a Russian Orthodox church in Yerevan, built from local red and black tufa. Its plan was an almost equal-armed cross with porches and apses at the ends, and the central cube was crowned by five domes. A horizontal cornice with decorative arches ran along the upper part, and iron piles reinforced the structure for seismic stability. The architecture combined Russian and Armenian church-building traditions.

The cathedral was built in the late 19th century by architects Vasili Mirzoyan and N. Kitkin and shaped the cityscape for decades. It was demolished in 1931 as political circumstances changed in the region.

The cathedral served as a spiritual center for the Russian Orthodox community and soldiers stationed in the city. It represented Russian religious influence in early 20th century Yerevan and connected local worshippers to broader Orthodox traditions.

The site where the cathedral once stood is now part of Shahumyan Square in central Yerevan and can be visited freely. Visitors can explore this public space and learn about its history through signage or historical documentation available in the area.

The cathedral had separate altars for Russian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic worshippers, so both congregations used the same building. Its plan was an almost equal-armed cross with porches and apses at the ends, and the central cube carried five domes. Iron piles were built into the structure to improve seismic stability.