secularized Christian world so that European nations that were once a stronghold of evangelical values, called post-Christian civilization.Secular society allows to embody the most phantasmagoric aspirations.New moral values of Europeans in conflict with the fact that religion preaches.Armenia is one of the few examples of loyalty millennial ethnic and cultural traditions.In this state at the highest legislative level, it testifies that age-old spiritual experience of the people is a national treasure.
Which religion in Armenia, the official
Over 95% of the three million population are members of the Armenian Apostolic Church.This Christian community - one of the oldest in the world.Orthodox theologians Transcaucasian community of believers belong to the five other so-called antihalkidonitskim communities.Well-established theological definition does not provide an exhaustive answer to the question about what religion in Armenia.
Orthodox Armenians called Monophysites - admitted in Christ one physical entity, Armenian Orthodox theologians accused of the opposite.These dogmatic subtleties understood only by theologians.On closer inspection, it turns out that mutual accusations are wrong.The official name of the community of believers in Armenia - "One Holy Universal Apostolic Orthodox Armenian Church."
first Christian state in the world
For a decade before the Edict of Milan by Emperor Constantine the Great, in 301 King Trdat III broke relations with paganism and proclaimed Christianity the state religion.In times of terrible persecution of the followers of Jesus throughout the Roman Empire ruler made a decisive and unexpected step.This was preceded by the tumultuous events in the Caucasus.
Emperor Diocletian officially proclaimed king of Armenia Tiridates is part of the Roman province of Cappadocia.In 287, he, with the mediation of the Roman legions, returned to his homeland and enter the throne.Being pagan, Trdat adopted earnestly perform religious ceremonies, commanding at the same time start the persecution of Christians.The brutal execution of 40 women's Christian makes a sharp turn in the life of the king and his subjects.
great educator of the Armenian people
baptism of a whole nation was due to outreach of St. Gregory.He was a descendant of a noble family Arksaidov.In the confession of faith Gregory suffered a lot of torture.Through the prayers of St. Trdat he was punished for mental illness torment Christians.Gregory tyrant forced to repent.After that, the king was healed.Believing in Christ, he was baptized along with his courtiers.
in Caesarea - the main city of Cappadocia - in 302, Gregory was ordained bishop.After returning to Armenia, he began baptizing people to build temples and schools for preachers.In the capital of King Trdat III of revelation founded over the holy temple, later called Echmiadzin.On behalf of the educator is called Gregorian Armenian Church.
centuries of struggle
Christianity as the official religion of Armenia has become an irritant neighboring rulers of Persia.Iran has taken decisive action to eradicate the planting of the new faith and Zoroastrianism.This helped a lot of the pro-minded landowners.From 337 to 345 the year Shapur II, executing tens of thousands of Christians in Persia, makes a series of devastating campaigns in Transcaucasia.
Shahanshah Yazdegerd II, wishing to strengthen its positions in the Caucasus, in the year 448, sent an ultimatum.Assembled in Artashat Cathedral clergy and laity responded that Armenians recognize the temporal power of the Persian ruler, but religion must remain untouched.Armenia rejected the proposal of this resolution on the adoption of an alien faith.The uprising began.The 451 year Avarair field was the largest in the country's history the battle.Although the defenders and lost the battle, persecutions were suspended.After thirty years of Armenia fought for their faith, while in the year 484 was not signed a peace treaty with Persia by which the Armenians were allowed to freely profess Christianity.
administrative structure of the Armenian Apostolic Church
to 451, the Armenian Apostolic Church was represented by one of the local communities united Christian Church.However, due to an incorrect assessment of decisions of the fourth ecumenical council there was a misunderstanding.In 506, Armenian Church officially separated from the Byzantine, which significantly influenced the history of the state and its political and social activities.
main religion in Armenia confesses on five continents over 9 million believers.The spiritual head of the Catholicos-Patriarch is in the title of which means that he is the spiritual leader of the nation both in Armenia and Armenians in the diaspora around the world.
residence of the Armenian Patriarch to 1441 is in Echmiadzin monastery.The jurisdiction of the Catholicos are diocese in the territory of the CIS countries, as well as in Europe, Iran, Egypt, North and South America, Australia and Oceania, the vicariate in India and the Far East.Echmiadzin Catholicosate obey the canonical terms the Armenian Patriarch in Istanbul (Constantinople), Jerusalem and the Great House of Cilicia (modern Kozan in Turkey).
Features
Armenian Church Armenian Church is almost mono-ethnic religious community: the vast majority of the faithful Armenians.This confession belongs to the smallest community in the north of Azerbaijan's Udi and several thousand of Azerbaijani Tats.For Armenians assimilated Roma Bosch wandering in the Caucasus and Syria, is also native religion.Armenia retains the Gregorian calendar church calendar.
Liturgical following features:
- Bread for communion is used as in the Catholic tradition, unleavened bread and wine is not water soluble.
- Liturgy is served only on Sundays and on special circumstances.
- Sacrament of Extreme Unction is performed only on the priests, with immediately after death.
worship in the Armenian churches are committed in the ancient language of Grabar, sermon the priest says in the modern Armenian.Cross Armenians left.Clergy can only be the son of a priest.
Church and State
According to the Constitution, Armenia is a secular state.The specific legislation defining what Christianity - is the state religion in Armenia, no.However, the spiritual and moral life of society is inconceivable without the participation of the Church.So, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said vital interaction between the state and the church.In his speeches, he declares the need to maintain the relationship between secular and spiritual power as the present historical stage, and in the future.
Armenian legislation imposes certain restrictions on the freedom of other religious faiths, thereby showing what religion is dominant in Armenia.Adopted in 1991, the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Freedom of Conscience" regulates the position of the Apostolic Church as a national religious organization.
Other religions
spiritual make society produces not only the orthodox religion.Armenia is home to the 36 parishes of the Armenian community of the Catholic Church, which is called the "Franks."Franks appeared in the XII century, together with the Crusaders.Under the influence of the Jesuits preaching a small community of Armenians recognized the jurisdiction of the Vatican.Over time, the missionaries supported by the Order, they are united in the Armenian Catholic Church.The residence of the Patriarch is located in Beirut.
living in Armenia a few communities of Kurds, Azeris and Persians are Muslim.In the Yerevan in 1766 it was built the famous Blue Mosque.
