Construction is nearing completion on what is expected to become the world’s tallest statue of Jesus Christ, rising above Mount Hatis in Armenia. The aluminium figure stands 33 metres tall, representing the traditional number of years of Jesus’ earthly life, and will eventually sit upon a 44-metre pedestal. With its elevated mountain location, the monument will tower more than 100 metres and be visible from much of the capital, Yerevan. Businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, who launched the project four years ago, says it celebrates Armenia’s unique Christian heritage as the first sovereign nation to adopt Christianity as its official religion, in AD 301. The statue is around 90% complete and is expected to be finished in 2027, alongside a museum, tourism complex and cable car. However, the Armenian Apostolic Church has opposed the project because three-dimensional representations of Christ conflict with its ancient artistic and theological traditions. Supporters nevertheless hope the monument will become a prominent international symbol of Armenia’s enduring Christian identity and witness.