St. Nerses I was a 4th-century Armenian Catholicos and presbyter who served as the leader of the Armenian Church from approximately 353 until his death in 373. A descendant of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, he transitioned from a military role as a chamberlain to the highest ecclesiastical office. His leadership marked a significant shift in the church's relationship with the Armenian people, moving it away from exclusive ties with the nobility and toward a broader connection with the general population.