Armenian Catholic Church

Armenian Catholic Church

The Armenian Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic particular church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome. It follows the Armenian Rite and uses the Armenian language in its liturgy. The church is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, acknowledging the Pope as its spiritual leader.

History

The Armenian Catholic Church traces its origins to the early Christian communities in Armenia, which was the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD. The church's distinct identity began to form after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, when the Armenian Church rejected the council's definitions, leading to a schism with the Byzantine Church.

The Armenian Catholic Church itself was established in the 18th century. In 1742, Abraham Petros I Ardzivian was elected as the first Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, marking the formal establishment of the church in communion with Rome. This was recognized by Pope Benedict XIV in the papal bull "Ex quo singulari."

Liturgy and Practices

The Armenian Catholic Church follows the Armenian Rite, which is one of the oldest Christian liturgical rites. The liturgy is celebrated in the Armenian language, and it retains many ancient traditions and customs unique to Armenian Christianity.

The church observes the same sacraments as the Roman Catholic Church, including Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

Structure and Hierarchy

The Armenian Catholic Church is headed by the Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, who resides in Bzoummar, Lebanon. The current Patriarch is Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, elected in 2021.

The church is organized into several eparchies (dioceses) and exarchates around the world, serving Armenian Catholic communities in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, France, Argentina, and the United States.

Relations with Other Churches

The Armenian Catholic Church maintains cordial relations with the Armenian Apostolic Church, the largest Christian denomination in Armenia. Both churches share a common cultural and historical heritage, despite their theological differences.

The Armenian Catholic Church is also a member of the Eastern Catholic Churches, which are in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church but retain their own liturgical rites and traditions.

Challenges and Modern Developments

The Armenian Catholic Church, like many Eastern Christian communities, faces challenges such as emigration, political instability in the Middle East, and the need to preserve its cultural and liturgical heritage in the diaspora.

In recent years, the church has focused on strengthening its educational and social services, establishing schools, and providing humanitarian aid to communities affected by conflict and poverty.

See Also

• Eastern Catholic Churches
• Armenian Apostolic Church
• Catholic Church

References

• "Armenian Catholic Church." Catholic Encyclopedia.
• "The Armenian Catholic Church: A Brief History." Vatican News.

External Links

• [Official website of the Armenian Catholic Church](http://www.armeniancatholic.org/)