Grace Thompson
The Armenian Catholic Church, headquartered in Lebanon, is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the See of Rome. It is completely distinct from the Armenian Apostolic Church and is headed by its own Patriarch-Catholicos. The Armenian Rite liturgy, celebrated in the Armenian language, is historically common to all Armenian Christians and is used by both the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Catholic Church. The Armenian Apostolic Church believes that Holy Communion should not be shared by members of churches that are not in complete sacramental union. In exceptional cases, an Armenian priest may offer Holy Communion to Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, or other Christians for pastoral reasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Communion | Holy Communion is a sacrament by which the believer receives Christ's Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine for the remission of sins and the reception of eternal life. |
| Armenian Catholic Church | The Armenian Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the See of Rome. |
| History | The Armenian Catholic Church was formally established by Pope Benedict XIV in 1742. |
| Location | The Armenian Catholic Church is found widely in the Armenian diaspora, notably in Lebanon (where the Armenian Catholic Church is headquartered), Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, France, the U.S.A., Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia. |
| Communion with other churches | The Armenian Church shares the same essential faith and understanding of the Eucharist with the Catholic Church, but certain issues remain unresolved. |
| Who can receive communion? | Any baptised member of the Armenian Church can receive Holy Communion. In exceptional cases, an Armenian priest may offer Holy Communion to Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, or other Christians for pastoral reasons. |
| Preparation | Fast on the morning of receiving communion. Make time to read the day's Scripture readings and discuss them on the way to church. |
| Participation | Sing all the hymns, respond to the priest's blessings and the deacon's petitions, bow, cross yourself, and kneel. |
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What You'll Learn
- Armenian Catholics are found in Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and the Armenian diaspora
- The Armenian Catholic Church is headquartered in Lebanon
- The Armenian Rite liturgy is historically common to all Armenian Christians
- The Armenian Apostolic Church is distinct from the Armenian Catholic Church
- The Armenian Apostolic Church believes in apostolic succession through the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus
Armenian Catholics are found in Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and the Armenian diaspora
Armenian Catholics are found in Armenia, Georgia, and Russia, as well as throughout the Armenian diaspora. The Armenian Catholic Church was formally established by Pope Benedict XIV in 1742, following the conversion of Abraham-Pierre I Ardzivian to Catholicism two years prior.
In Armenia, the Armenian Catholic Church coexists with the Latin Church, which includes the vast majority of Catholics worldwide. The two churches are divided into separate jurisdictions, with Latin Rite Catholics falling under the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus, and Armenian Rite Catholics belonging to the Ordinariate for Catholics of the Armenian Rite in Eastern Europe. The latter was established in 1991 by Pope John Paul II, who merged the communities in Georgia and Russia with those in Armenia. This was done in an effort to mend fences with coreligionists across the border.
Outside of Armenia, Georgia, and Russia, Armenian Catholics are dispersed across the world. Notable diaspora communities exist in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, France, the USA, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia. Many Armenian Catholics migrated to North America, particularly to the United States, where tens of thousands of Armenian Catholics reside, with notable populations in San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, and Indianapolis.
Historically, Armenian Catholics have also been present in other parts of the world. During the Crusades in 1198, the Church of the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia entered into a union with the Catholic Church, although this union was short-lived. In the 17th century, an Armenian Catholic community was formed in Poland, and in the 18th century, a convent was established in Lebanon. During the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1918, the Church was scattered, primarily to Lebanon and Syria, and many Armenian Catholics fled to Romania, where their descendants remain part of the Armenian community today.
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The Armenian Catholic Church is headquartered in Lebanon
Lebanon was also a refuge for Armenian Catholics during the Armenian genocide of 1915-1918, with many members of the Church settling in the country, particularly in Bourj Hammoud, a suburb east of Beirut, and in Syria. The Armenian Catholic Church has a strong presence in other areas of Beirut, including Ashrafieh, Karm el Zeytoun, Gemmayze, Mar Mikhael, and Geitawi, among others.
The head of the Armenian Catholic Church is the Armenian Catholic patriarch of Cilicia, whose main cathedral and de facto archiepiscopal see is the Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator, in Beirut, Lebanon. The Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon, an Oriental Orthodox Christian diocese (or eparchy) of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Lebanon, is headquartered in Beirut, with additional offices in Bourj Hammoud.
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The Armenian Rite liturgy is historically common to all Armenian Christians
The Armenian Rite liturgy is celebrated in the Armenian language and is said to have developed before the post-Chalcedonian interruption of communion, which is why it is common to all Armenian Christians. It is used by the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic Church, and a significant number of Eastern Catholic Christians in the Republic of Georgia. The Armenian Rite liturgy is distinct from the Byzantine Rite in several ways. For example, churches of the Armenian Rite usually have only a few icons, and during parts of the liturgy, a curtain conceals the priest and the altar, rather than an iconostasis (screen).
The Armenian Rite liturgy has a unique structure, typically divided into five parts: the prayers of preparation in the sacristy, the prayers of preparation in the sanctuary, the preparation of the gifts, the liturgy of the catechumens, and the liturgy of the faithful, culminating in Communion. The Armenian Rite is also known for its use of unleavened bread for the Eucharist and wine without added water, setting it apart from other liturgical traditions.
The Armenian Rite has evolved over the centuries, with influences from Syriac and Cappadocian Christians, Jerusalemites, the Byzantine Rite, and Latin liturgical rites. The 5th century marked a significant upheaval in Armenia's Christian hierarchy, leading to the translation of the Bible, Divine Liturgy, and other texts into Armenian. This shift to the vernacular facilitated the evangelization of all Armenians and reinforced their cultural identity.
The Armenian Rite liturgy holds immense significance for Armenian Christians, providing a sense of unity and a deep connection with God. It has played a pivotal role in shaping the religious landscape of Armenia and its diaspora, with communities found in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, France, the USA, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia.
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The Armenian Apostolic Church is distinct from the Armenian Catholic Church
The Armenian Catholic Church, on the other hand, is an Eastern Catholic particular church sui iuris of the Catholic Church. It accepts the leadership of the Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, and is in full communion with the Holy See of Rome and the universal Catholic Church, including the Latin Church and the 22 other Eastern Catholic Churches. The Armenian Catholic Church is regulated by Eastern canon law, which is summed up in the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. The head of the sui iuris Armenian Catholic Church is the Armenian Catholic Patriarch of Cilicia, whose main cathedral and de facto archiepiscopal see is the Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator, in Beirut, Lebanon.
The Armenian Apostolic Church is headquartered in Etchmiadzin, Armenia, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Armenian Catholic Church is headquartered in Lebanon, with a significant presence in Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, France, the USA, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia.
Historically, the Armenian Apostolic Church participated in the larger Christian world and was subordinated to the Bishop of Caesarea. It was represented at the First Council of Nicea in 325. The Armenian Apostolic Church also has a strong connection to St. Gregory the Illuminator, who was the first official primate of the church and is considered the founder and patron saint of the Armenian Church. The Armenian Rite liturgy, celebrated in the Armenian language, is used by both the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Catholic Church and is patterned after the directives of St. Gregory.
In summary, while both churches belong to the Armenian Rite and share a similar liturgical heritage, they differ in their relationship to the Catholic Church and their respective headquarters and leadership structures.
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The Armenian Apostolic Church believes in apostolic succession through the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus
The Armenian Apostolic Church, also known as the Armenian Church or Armenian Gregorian Church, is distinct from the Armenian Catholic Church. The former believes in apostolic succession through the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus (also known as Jude or Thaddaeus).
According to tradition, the Armenian Apostolic Church was founded in the 1st century through the missions of these two apostles. Thaddeus is said to have cured Abgar V of Edessa of leprosy, leading to his conversion in AD 30. He then travelled to Armenia, where he converted King Sanatruk's daughter, who was eventually martyred alongside Thaddeus. Bartholomew is believed to have arrived in Armenia around AD 66 and was martyred in Hadamakert, southeast of Lake Van. Both apostles were martyred in Armenia, giving the Armenian Church its apostolic identity. They are commemorated as the "First Enlighteners of Armenia".
Over the centuries, the Armenian Apostolic Church has participated in several councils with other Christian churches, seeking unity and clarification of Christological positions. In 610, the Armenian Church officially severed ties with Rome and Constantinople during the Third Council of Dvin, where the Chalcedonian dyophysite christological formula was rejected. In the 15th century, the Armenian Church took part in the Council of Basel-Ferrara-Florence, an effort to achieve unity among Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Churches.
The Armenian Apostolic Church has a rich history and plays a significant role in the spiritual lives of its adherents, with its own unique traditions and practices, including the sacrament of Holy Communion, also known as the Badarak.
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Frequently asked questions
The Armenian Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the See of Rome. It is completely distinct from the Armenian Apostolic Church and is headed by its own Patriarch-Catholicos. It is found widely in the Armenian diaspora, notably in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, France, the USA, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia.
Armenian Catholics originated in what is today Armenia, Georgia, and Eastern Europe. In the late 1920s, persecution caused many Armenian Catholics to emigrate. The Armenian Catholic Church was formally established by Pope Benedict XIV in 1742.
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the Armenian Catholic Church's sister church. It is composed of four patriarchal provinces, comprising seventy-two, six, and two dioceses in Turkey, Russia, and Iran, respectively. It has two patriarchates of high authority, both under the jurisdiction of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
Armenian Catholics receive communion in the form of bread and wine, which symbolises receiving Christ's Body and Blood. Before receiving communion, it is customary to fast on the morning of the ceremony and to read the day's Scripture readings. During the service, it is important to sing the hymns, respond to the priest's blessings, bow, cross yourself, and kneel.
