The Armenian community was founded in St. Petersburg in 1710, the first meetings were held in the homes belonging to members of the community. In 1714 first petition was filed to allow construction of the church to the Armenian authorities rejected it. And only in 1725 the Synod finally gave permission to hold meetings in the chapel, which was located in a wooden building on Vasilyevsky Island.

At the beginning of 1740 Ghukas Shirvanyanu allowed to build a small church made of stone. However, after the death of Empress construction stopped. In May 1770 Hovhannes Lazarian (head of the Armenian community) again petitioned and received a positive response. Catherine II signed a decree according to which soldiers were allowed and trades Armenians to build churches in the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. And less than a month, both under construction was given a place on Nevsky Prospekt opposite the Gostiny Dvor.

Architect YM Felten developed the project and led the construction, which lasted from 1771 to 1776. It spent about thirty-three thousand. The money mainly donated the head of the community, of the assembled congregation. The building of the church is very like building a little earlier Lutheran Church. Although the architect has paid more attention to decoration. Portico of the church was handed over, its side walls were decorated with pilasters at the ends. The walls were made openings of various shapes. The first tier was arched and rectangular openings in the second tier of the small windows were made of round shapes. They are very well combined with the square-shaped panels. Strict capitals Tuscan order were replaced by Ionic capitals and in interwindow intervals were placed reliefs. Little Angels, hoisting the cross were painted over the entrance to the church.

Inside the church are twenty pairs of columns, they are placed in the corners under the dome, and a marble yellow. Capitals made white, which gives a great expressiveness. Solid Band belted ceiling cornice premises having a decorative look, gave him a special charm dentil.

In mid-February 1780 the church was consecrated by the Armenian Archbishop Joseph. At the dedication of the prince attended GA Potemkin-Tauride. Armenian culture is concentrated around the church, which has become a kind of center. Until now, the church operates an Armenian school and a printing house that publishes books in Armenian language.

Over the years, the church was surrounded by a lattice of iron gates were installed.

In 1841, the architect LF Vendramin led overhaul. In 1865, the temple tower was rebuilt in the belfry of the three bells. In the years 1900-1906 the walls and floors of the building of the church were fortified, they were constructed choruses. In 1887, the painter Aivazovsky the community has donated the painting "Christ on the Sea of ​​Galilee." In 1915, the temple gave the relics of St. Thaddeus and St. Gregory the Illuminator.

In 1930 the church was closed, divided the floors and gave the military that it placed the headquarters of the defense. After the war, in a building made scenery for theaters. Only in 1990, at the request of the Armenian community of St. Petersburg temple began to recover, and in 1993 it began service. The restoration, which began in those years, is still ongoing. In July 2000, the Patriarch - Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II consecrated the church completely, and the present Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II. Then the temple was returned to the relics of St. George, which were kept in the Hermitage.