Having originated in the Middle East, Christianity is still widely represented across the Middle East, making up around 5 percent of the population.
Although this has dropped from 20 percent in the early 20th century, there are numerous Christian communities around the region.
Here's a look at 8 of the most beautiful churches you should visit across the region:
1. Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Beirut
A cathedral of the Armenian Catholic Church located in the downtown Beirut area. The church was funded in 1928 by Pope Pius XI. The architecture of the cathedral differs slight from traditional Armenian architecture, drawing some inspiration from Rome.
2. Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, Cairo
Also known as Abu Serga, the church is located in Coptic Cairo. It is considered one of the oldest Coptic churches in Egypt, dating back to the 4th century.
3. Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
According to traditions dating back to the fourth century, the church is home to two of the holiest sites in Christendom, the site where Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and Jesus's empty tomb.
The construction of the church began in 325/326 and was consecrated on Sept. 13, 335. Since its establishment, it has become a major Christian pilgrimage destination.
4. Church of St. George, Istanbul
The church is known to be the principal Greek Orthodox cathedral still in use in Istanbul. Located in the Phanar district of Istanbul, the church is open to the public between 8:30 am to 4 pm.
5. Chaldean Catholic Church, Iraq
This is the main and most historically significant monastery of the Chaldean Catholic Church located in the mountains northeast of Alqosh, an Assyrian town in Iraq.
As of 2007, Chaldeans were said to constitute 80 percent of the Christian population in Iraq.
6. Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Damascus
The current Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East is Gregory III Laham. The patriarchate is based in Damascus. Following the Damascus massacres of 1860, many Christian communities from the eastern Mediterranean were forced to emigrate. Thus, the church is found throughout the world today. The community is no longer exclusively made up of people of eastern Mediterranean origin.
7. Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Istanbul
The largest church of the Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul is at İstiklal Avenue No. 171 in the Beyoğlu district. Originally built in 1725 by the local Italian community of Istanbul, the church was later demolished and replaced with the current building.
8. St. Sarkis Cathedral, Tehran
St. Sarkis Church in Tehran was first constructed in 1964 and was complete by 1970. It was built by Sakisian brothers in memory of their parents. The church is one of Iran's Armenian churches.