Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church | |
|---|---|
| Հայ Առաքելական Եկեղեցի (Armenian) | |
Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church | |
| Type | Autocephaly |
| Classification | Christian |
| Orientation | Oriental Orthodox |
| Scripture | Septuagint, New Testament, Armenian versions |
| Theology | Oriental Orthodox Theology |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Catholicos of All Armenians | Karekin II |
| Associations | World Council of Churches |
| Region | Armenia, Armenian diaspora |
| Language | Classical Armenian |
| Liturgy | Armenian Rite |
| Headquarters | Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin |
| Founder | Gregory the Illuminator Bartholomew the Apostle Thaddeus (Jude) |
| 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 Armenian Evangelical Church |
| Members | 9 million (self-reported) |
| Other name | Armenian Church |
| Official website | www |
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The Armenian Apostolic Church (Armenian: Հայ Առաքելական Եկեղեցի, romanized: Hay Aṙaqelakan Ékełetsi) is the autocephalous national church of Armenia. Part of Oriental Orthodoxy, it is one of the most ancient Christian churches. The Armenian Apostolic Church uses the Armenian Rite. The Kingdom of Armenia was the first state in history to adopt Christianity as its official religion (under the Armenian Apostolic traditions) during the rule of King Tiridates III, of the Arsacid dynasty in the early 4th century.
According to tradition, the church originated in the missions of Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus (Jude) in the 1st century. St. Gregory the Illuminator was the first official primate of the church. It is sometimes referred to as the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Armenian Church or Armenian Gregorian Church.
The Armenian Apostolic Church should not be confused with the fully distinct Armenian Catholic Church, which is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the See of Rome.