The foundations of this church were laid in CE 990 by Sembat II, the King of Bagrat, and completed in 1010. The architect was Master Tiridat, who also conducted repairs on the Hagia Sophia in İstanbul during the same period. .

The church features a cruciform plan; the area in the middle is bounded by sturdy columns bearing arches. The figures and reliefs on the exterior of the church are typical examples of 11th century church architecture.

The cathedral was converted into a mosque after Sultan Alparslan’s conquest of Ani in 1064 and the first conquest prayer was performed here. For this reason, the Grand Cathedral (Büyük Katedral) is also known as the Fethiye Mosque (Fethiye Cami).