Armenian Apostolic Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  Armenian Apostolic Church |
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| Հայ Առաքելական Եկեղեցի (Armenian) | |
Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church
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| Classification | Eastern Christian |
| Orientation | Oriental Orthodox |
| Scripture | Septuagint, New Testament, Armenian versions |
| Theology | Miaphysitism |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Governance | Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin |
| Head | Karekin II the Catholicos of All Armenians |
| Associations | World Council of Churches |
| Region | Armenia, Armenian diaspora |
| Language | Classical Armenian |
| Liturgy | Armenian Rite |
| Headquarters | Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Vagharshapat, Armenia |
| Founder | Gregory the Illuminator Bartholomew the Apostle Thaddeus of Edessa |
| Origin | c. 1st century Kingdom of Armenia |
| Independence | 610 at the Third Council of Dvin |
| Separated from | Patriarchate of Constantinople in the Second Council of Dvin (554) |
| Separations | Armenian Catholic Church Hetanism |
| Members | 9,000,000 (self-reported) |
| Other name(s) | Armenian Church |
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The Armenian Apostolic Church (Armenian: Հայ Առաքելական Եկեղեցի, romanized: Hay Aṙak'elakan Yekeghetsi) is the official national church of Armenia. It is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, which means it's one of the oldest Christian groups. The Kingdom of Armenia was the first country to make Christianity its official religion. This happened in the early 4th century under King Tiridates III.
Church traditions say that the Armenian Apostolic Church started with the missions of Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus of Edessa in the 1st century. St. Gregory the Illuminator became the first official leader of the church. You might also hear it called the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Armenian Church, or Armenian Gregorian Church.
It's important not to confuse the Armenian Apostolic Church with the Armenian Catholic Church. The Armenian Catholic Church is a different group that is connected to the Holy See in Rome.
Contents
History of the Armenian Church
How the Church Began
The Armenian Apostolic Church believes its leaders are connected directly to the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus. According to old stories, Thaddeus healed King Abgar V of Edessa, which led to the king becoming Christian around AD 30. Thaddeus then traveled through Armenia, converting many people, including a king's daughter.
Later, Bartholomew came to Armenia. He brought a picture of the Virgin Mary and started a nunnery. Both apostles appointed local bishops before they were killed for their faith.
Early Armenian Christians faced tough times and were persecuted by kings like Axidares and Khosrov I. But then, King Tiridates III was converted to Christianity by Gregory the Illuminator. This was a huge moment for Armenia.
Between 300 and 301 AD, King Tiridates III made Christianity the official state religion of Armenia. This was a very important step in Armenia's history. It helped set Armenia apart from its neighbors and their different religions. Christianity wasn't completely new to Armenia at this time; it had been present for a while.
King Tiridates declared Gregory the first Catholicos (head) of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Gregory then went to Caesarea to be officially appointed. When he returned, Gregory built churches and monasteries. He also had a special vision in the old capital city of Vagharshapat. He saw Christ showing him where to build the main Armenian church. So, with the king's help, he built it there and renamed the city Etchmiadzin. This name means "the place where the Only-Begotten descended."
At first, the Armenian Church was connected to the wider Christian world. Its Catholicos even attended the First Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Over time, the Armenian Church developed its own unique worship style, called the Armenian Rite. This style blended elements from other Christian traditions.
Christianity became even stronger in Armenia in the 5th century. This was thanks to Saint Mesrop Mashtots, who created the Armenian alphabet. Before this, Armenians had a spoken language but no way to write it down. So, the Bible and church services were in Greek or Syriac.
Around 405 AD, Mesrop finished the alphabet. Then, the Bible and church services were translated into Armenian. This led to a flourishing of Armenian literature and culture.
Becoming Independent
The Armenian Church became more independent over time. At the First Council of Dvin in 506 AD, Armenian, Georgian, and Caucasian Albanian bishops met. They discussed their views on the Council of Chalcedon, an important meeting for Christians.
Later, around 609–610 AD, the Third Council of Dvin was held. This meeting helped clarify the relationship between the Armenian and Georgian churches. After this council, the Armenian Church officially separated from the main Christian groups in Rome and Constantinople. This was because of different beliefs about the nature of Christ.
The 20th Century
In 1903, the Russian government tried to take control of the Armenian Church's property. This was a difficult time for the church.
Understanding Miaphysitism
The Armenian Church, like other Oriental Orthodox Churches, is sometimes called "monophysite." This term is used by some other Christian groups because the Armenian Church did not accept the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon. That council condemned the idea of Christ having only one nature.
However, the Armenian Apostolic Church says that calling them "monophysite" is not quite right. They believe that Christ has one united nature, where both his divine and human parts are perfectly joined. This belief is called miaphysitism. It's different from the "monophysitism" that was condemned, which suggested Christ's human nature was completely absorbed by his divine nature.
Today, many Christian churches are working to understand each other's beliefs better. They are finding that they agree on many important points, even if they use different words.
Church Structure and Leadership
The Armenian Apostolic Church has a special structure. It has two main leaders, called Catholicoi.
Two Catholicosates
- The first leader is the Catholicos of All Armenians. He lives in Etchmiadzin, Armenia, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This is the most important spiritual center.
- The second leader is the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. His headquarters are in Antelias, Lebanon.
The Catholicos of All Armenians has the highest spiritual authority over the entire church. The Catholicosate of Cilicia manages the churches in its own region.
Two Patriarchates
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The Armenian Apostolic Church also has two important Patriarchates, which are under the Catholicos of All Armenians:
- The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem: This seat is in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. It is led by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian.
- The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople: This seat is in Istanbul, Turkey. It is led by the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop Sahak II Mashalian.
Dioceses (Eparchies)
The church is divided into many smaller areas called dioceses or eparchies. These are like regions, each with its own bishop. There are dioceses in Armenia itself and in many other countries where Armenians live.
In Armenia
- Aragatsotn eparchy
- Diocese of Armavir
- Ararat Patriarchal eparchy
- Artik eparchy
- Gegharkunik eparchy
- Gougark eparchy
- Kotayk eparchy
- Shirak eparchy
- Syunik eparchy
- Tavush eparchy
- Vayots Dzor eparchy
- Artsakh eparchy
Around the World (Diaspora)
Armenian churches are found in many countries outside Armenia, including:
- Europe
- Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan
- Diocese of Southern Russia
- Diocese of Ukraine
- Exarchate of Central Europe
- Exarchate of Western Europe
- Diocese of Georgia
- Diocese of Romania
- Diocese of Bulgaria
- Diocese of Greece
- Diocese of Germany
- Diocese of Switzerland
- Diocese of France
- Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland
- Middle East
- Diocese of Egypt
- New World
- Diocese of Canada
- Western Diocese (USA)
- Eastern Diocese (USA)
- Diocese of Australia and New Zealand
- Diocese of Argentina
- Diocese of Uruguay
Seminaries
The Armenian Church has schools called seminaries where future priests are trained.
- The Gevorkian Theological Seminary is at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
- The Vaskenian Theological Academy is at Lake Sevan.
- St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in Armonk, New York, also trains Armenian priests.
Women in the Armenian Church
The Armenian Church does not ordain women as priests. However, women who become nuns can be ordained as deacons within their convents. When they are ordained, they use the same ceremony as men. These women deacons can chant the Gospel and help during church services.
While they usually don't serve in regular parish churches, there have been exceptions. There is still an order of nuns who are deaconesses at the Sourp Hripsime Church in Etchmiadzin. In 2017, a woman was ordained as a "parish deacon" in Tehran, Iran, to serve in a cathedral.
Women play many important roles in the church. They serve in choirs, play the organ, join parish councils, and volunteer for church events. They also help with fundraising and Sunday schools. The wife of a married priest (called a Der Hayr) is known as a Yeretzgin and often helps actively in the church community.
Armenian Genocide Victims Canonization
On April 23, 2015, the Armenian Apostolic Church honored all the victims of the Armenian genocide as saints. This was the first time the Armenian Apostolic Church had made new saints in 400 years. It is believed to be the largest ceremony of its kind in history. Around 1.5 million people were victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Army Chaplaincy Program
The Armenian Church has an Army Chaplaincy Program of the Armenian Church. More than 50 clergymen serve as chaplains for the Armed Forces of Armenia. They lead religious programs, give lectures, and offer prayers to soldiers. This program is supported by both the Ministry of Defence of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Church. All army chaplains are officers in the military.
The Church Today
In Armenia
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The role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Armenia is written in the country's constitution. It says that the church has a "unique historical mission" as a national church. It plays a key role in the spiritual life, culture, and identity of the Armenian people.
In Artsakh
After the Soviet era, many religious buildings in Artsakh were closed. But the Armenian Apostolic Church has since restarted its activities. Many churches have been restored or built. In 2009, the government of Artsakh passed a law stating that only the Armenian Apostolic Church is allowed to preach there. However, other religious groups can get approval to worship.
Armenian Diaspora
Many Armenians live outside of Armenia, forming what is called the Armenian diaspora. The Armenian Apostolic Church has strong communities in many countries around the world. These include places in Europe, North America, South America, and South Asia.
For example, Lebanon has many Armenian Apostolic churches. The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople in Turkey and the Armenian Apostolic Church in Iran are also very important. These churches represent the largest Christian groups in these mostly Muslim countries.
The United Kingdom has three Armenian churches. Ethiopia has had an Armenian church since the 1920s.
See Also
In Spanish: Iglesia apostólica armenia para niños
- Religion in Armenia
- Armenian Catholic Church
- Armenian church architecture
- Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
- Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
- Holy See of Cilicia
- Saint Narek chapel
Lists
- List of Catholicoi of Armenia
- List of Armenian Catholicoi of Cilicia
- List of Armenian Patriarchs of Constantinople
- List of Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem
