Armenian Apostolic Church - one of the oldest in the world.It was established in the second and third century AD.For example, Yevsei of Caesarea (260-339) mentions the Roman emperor Maximin war with Armenia unleashed it on religious grounds.
Armenian Church in ancient times and today
In the seventh century AD rather large number of the Armenian community living in Palestine.It existed at that time and in Greece.70 monasteries of the state was owned by Armenians.In the Holy Land in Jerusalem, the Armenian Patriarchate was founded a little later - in the 12th century.At the moment, this city is home to more than 3,000 Armenians.The property is full of community churches.
How did Christianity in Armenia
believed that Christianity was brought to Armenia two apostles - Thaddaeus and Bartholomew.Apparently, hence the name of the Church - Apostolic.This is the traditional version, documented, however, is not confirmed.It is for certain scientists know only that Armenia became a Christian in the time of King Tiridates in 314 BC.e.After a radical religious reform carried them all pagan temples in the country have been converted at the Armenian Church.
Contemporary churches belonging to the Armenians in Jerusalem
most famous places of worship in Jerusalem are:
- Church of St. James.Located in the old town, on the territory of the Armenian Quarter.In the 6th century on this place it was built a small church.They built it in honor of one of the major events of Christianity.It was on this spot in 44 BC by people of Herod Antipas, was killed the apostle James.The conduct reflected in the New Testament.In the 12th century on the site of the old church was built new.There it is to this day.In the western part of the building there is a small door.It leads to the room in which the monks still keep the head of Jacob.
- Angels Church.It located in the Armenian quarter, in its very depth.This is one of the oldest churches in Jerusalem.It was built on the spot where once stood the house of the high priest Anna.According to the New Testament, that Christ brought to him before the interrogation at Caiaphas.In the courtyard of the church are still preserved olives, which believers consider "living witness" of those events.
course, there are Armenian churches in other countries - India, Iran, Venezuela, Israel and so on. D.
History of the Armenian Church in Russia
In Russia the first Christian Armenian Diocese was formed in 1717. Its center was located in Astrakhan.This is due to the friendly relations established between Armenia and Russia at the time.In this diocese includes all existing then Christian Armenian churches of the country.Its first leader was the Archbishop Galatatsi.
matter of the Armenian Apostolic Church was founded in Russia in a few decades later, in the reign of Catherine II - in 1773. Its founder was the first Catholicos Simeon Yerevantsi.
In 1809, the decree of Emperor Alexander I was founded Armenian Diocese of Bessarabia.It is this church organization controlled territory reclaimed from the Turks in the Balkan War.Center for the new diocese was the city of Iasi.After the Peace Treaty of Bucharest Iasi found themselves outside the Russian Empire, it was moved to Chisinau.In 1830, Nicholas I separated from Astrakhan Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novorossiysk and Bessarabian Church, forming another Armenian Diocese.
By 1842 Russia had already been built and opened 36 parish, the Cathedral and the church cemetery.Most of them belonged to the Diocese of Astrakhan (23).In 1895, its center was moved to the city of New Nakhichevan.By the end of the 19th century it was combined and Armenian communities of Central Asia.As a result, we formed two of the diocese - Baku and Turkestan.At the same time the center of the Astrakhan diocese becomes Armavir.
Armenian Church in Russia after the revolution
After the revolution of the seventeenth year Bessarabia moved the Romanian kingdom.Armenian churches existed here became part of the diocese of that State.At the same time changes were made in the very structure of the Church.All communities were united only two dioceses - Nakhichevan and the North Caucasus.Center for the first located in Rostov-on-Don, the second - in Armavir.
Most of the temples belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church, of course, have been closed and destroyed.This situation persisted until the mid-twentieth century.One of the most important events for the Christian Armenians was the discovery in 1956 in Moscow, the only preserved Armenian church in the city.It was a small church of St. Resurrection, built in the 18th century.It became a center of Armenian Moscow parish.
Armenian Apostolic Church in the late 20th - early 21st century
In 1966, Catholicos Vazgen I create the New Nakhichevan and Russian Diocese.The center of the Armenian Apostolic Church is transferred to Moscow.By the 90 th years of the last century, the Armenians were already seven churches active in major Russian cities - Moscow, Leningrad, Armavir, Rostov-on-Don, and so on. D. Today, the subordination of the Russian dioceses are many ecclesial communities of the former Soviet republics.I should add that modern Armenian churches for the most part represent the real architectural and historical monuments.
Hripsime church in Yalta
Yalta Armenian church was built in the early 20th century.It represents a fairly interesting architecturally building.It is a compact, monolithic building looking very similar to the ancient temple Hripsime in Echmiadzin.This is one of the most interesting sights, which boasts Yalta.Hripsime Armenian Church - a really impressive building.
The southern facade is equipped with a false entrance, framed by a broad arched niche.For it is a long stairway, as the temple is located on the mountainside.The building is crowned solid hexagonal tent.At the end of lifting another equipped with a staircase leading to the entrance to the present time, located on the western facade.Another interesting interior of the church.The dome is painted inside and iconostasis inlaid marble.This stone is generally traditional interior structures such as the Armenian Church.
St. Petersburg Church of St. Catherine
Of course, there are churches belonging to this area of Christianity and in other Russian cities.There are some in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in some other localities.Of course, both the capital can boast of the most majestic buildings.For example, it is very interesting in terms of historical and spiritual value of the building is built in 1770-1772 gg.Armenian church on the Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg.This is a very elegant, easy to build in the style of early Russian classicism.Against the background of strict Petersburg buildings this church looks extremely elegant and festive.
course, the Armenian Church on Nevsky Prospect looks very majestic.However, it is inferior to the height of the Moscow churches on Trifonovskaya street (58 m).A truly magnificent and the interior of the old church of St. Petersburg.The walls are decorated with monumental painting, stucco cornices and partly lined with colored marble.This same stone used for the flooring and columns.
Armenian Church in Krasnodar
Not so long ago - in 2010 - in Krasnodar was built and consecrated a new Armenian church of St.. Sahak and Mesrop.The building is designed in a traditional style and made of pink tufa.Quite large, arched windows and a long hexagonal dome gives it a magnificent view.
The style of execution of the building reminds one that can boast of Yalta.Hripsime Armenian Church, however, is somewhat lower and monumental.However, the overall style is clearly seen.
Which direction is the Armenian Church of Christianity?
In the West, all the Eastern churches, including Armenian Apostolic, Orthodox believe.In the Russian language the word translates as "orthodox."However, the understanding of these two names in the West, and we have several of them.Under this definition gets quite a large number of branches of Christianity.Although western theological canons of the Armenian Orthodox Church is considered, in fact, its teachings with Russian Orthodoxy largely dissimilar.As for the Russian Orthodox Church, at the level of the ordinary priesthood prevalent attitude to the representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church as heretics, the Monophysites.Officially recognized by the existence of two branches of the Orthodox Church - the Eastern and Byzantine-Slavic.
Maybe more so believers themselves Christian Armenians in most cases do not consider themselves neither Orthodox nor Catholic.A believer of that nationality with the same success can go pray in a Catholic and an Orthodox church.Moreover, the Armenian churches in the world is not really too numerous.For example, living in Russia representatives of this nationality willingly baptize children in Russian Orthodox churches.
Differences between Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church traditions
comparison with the Russian Orthodox traditions describe baptism adopted in the Armenian Church.Differences are not so much, but still they are there.
many Russian Orthodox, Armenian first came to the temple, it is surprising that the candle is not put on a special pedestal in the small candle, and in a normal box of sand.However, they are not sold, but simply lie nearby.However, many Armenians, taking the candle, left money for it on their own.Themselves believers clean and cinders.
Some Armenian churches in the font of baptism of children is not immersed.Just take the water from the large bowl and wash.Baptism of the Armenian Church has another interesting feature.The priest, saying a prayer, said in a singsong voice.Because of the good acoustics of the Armenian churches it sounds impressive.Different from Russian and baptismal crosses.Usually, they are very nicely decorated with vine.Suspended crosses on narot (woven with red and white thread).Cross Armenians - in contrast to the Russian - from left to right.The rest of the rite of initiation to the faith baby is similar to the Russian Orthodox.
structure of modern Armenian Apostolic Church
supreme authority in the active site is the Church National Council.At the moment, it includes 2 Patriarch arihiepiskopov 10, 4 and 5 of the bishop of secular people.The structure includes two independent Armenian Apostolic Catholicosate - Echmiadzin and Cilicia, as well as two of the Patriarchate - Constantinople and Jerusalem.Supreme Patriarch (at the moment - the head of the Armenian Church Karekin II) is considered to be representative and oversees compliance with the rules of the church.Questions laws and canons are in the competence of the Council.
value of the Armenian Church in the world
historical development of the Armenian Apostolic Church was not only against the backdrop of harassment of pagan and heterodox Muslim authorities, but under the pressure of other, more powerful Christian Churches.However, despite this, she was able to preserve its uniqueness and originality of many ceremonies.Armenian Church - Orthodox, but not for nothing is preserved in its title the term "apostolic".This definition is considered to be common to all the churches, not consider themselves to any of the main directions of Christianity.
Moreover, in the history of the Armenian Church was a time when many of its authoritative figures believed the Roman throne of the championship.Stop the attraction of the Armenian Church to Catholicism only in the 18th century, after the Pope made his own, a separate branch - Armenian Catholic Church.This step marked the beginning of a cooling of relations between these two branches of Christianity.In some periods of history, there was the attraction of the Armenian Church leaders to Byzantine Orthodoxy.She did not assimilate with other areas only due to the fact that Catholics and Orthodox in some way always considered her "heretical."So the fact that this church is preserved almost in its original form, it is possible to some extent be considered and God's providence.
Armenian Church in St. Petersburg, Moscow and temples in Yalta, as well as other similar places of worship are indeed a real architectural and historical monuments.And indeed this direction ritualism of Christianity is distinctive and unique.You agree that the combination of high "Catholic" hats and Byzantine ritual clothing brightness is impressive.
Armenian Church (photo temples belonging to it, you can see on this page) was founded in 314. The division of Christianity in the two main branches occurred in 1054. Even the appearance of Armenian priests recalls that when itIt was one.And, of course, it will be very good if the Armenian Apostolic Church will retain its uniqueness and more.
