On the facade of Saint Gregory the Illuminator we can see two 19th century plaques, one in Armenian and one in Latin, bearing the history of the temple and of its restorations.
Skipping the Armenian for obvious reasons, even the epigraphic Latin is well beyond my scarce interpretive skills. An old friend from high school, Silvestro Raffone, was able to accomplish the task with the decisive help of a colleague of his, Isella Piquè. Thanks to both of them for going beyond the literal translation, an effort which I am now trying to summarize in English:The temple, consecrated to the Eternal God in honor of Saint Gregory Martyr, Apostle Savior and Patriarch of Armenia, built in 1701 with considerable investment of money and effort by the Armenians of Livorno under Cosimo III Grand Duke of Tuscany, is now lying in direpair.
The congregation, under the auspices of Leopoldo II Grand Duke of Tuscany, while Gregorio Alessandri was prefect, restored and embellished the church with the help of the architect Olinto Paradossi, who completed the works in 1844. This should be passed on to posterity.
See also:
Half a Church - Saint Gregory the Illuminator - Faith and Charity
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