| Building Name: | Cathedral of Saint James Սրբոց Յակոբեանց Վանք Հայոց קתדרלת יעקב הקדוש |
| Location: | Armenian Quarter, Jerusalem |
| Geo: | 31.7744°N 35.2289°W |
| Religious Affiliation: | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Status: | Cathedral |
| Functional Status: | Active |
| Architecture: | yes |
| Architecture Type: | Domed basilica |
| Architecture Style: | Armenian |
| Year Completed: | 12th century |
The Cathedral of Saint James (Armenian: Սրբոց Յակոբեանց Վանք Հայոց, Hebrew: קתדרלת יעקב הקדוש, Arabic: كتدرائية القديس جيمس, or Saint Jacob's Armenian Cathedral) is a 12th-century Armenian church in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, near the quarter's entry Zion Gate. The cathedral is dedicated to two of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus: James, son of Zebedee (James the Greater) and James the brother of Jesus (James the Just).[1] It is located near the Church of the Holy Archangels.
It is the principal church of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, also known as the Armenian Patriarchate of Saint James.
In 1162, it was described as complete by John of Würzburg which Nurith Kenaan-Kedar uses to argue that it was built during the reign of Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem.[2]
The ceiling is decorated hanging ceramic eggs made in Kütahya. More ceramics from Kütahya appear in the form of tiles in the Chapel of Etchmiadzin. Originally destined for a 1719 attempt to repair the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, they ended up in the Cathedral of Saint James after the plan fell through.[3]