Origins Armenian Apostolic Church

baptism of tiridates iii.

the armenian church believes in apostolic succession through apostles bartholomew , thaddeus. according legend, latter of 2 apostles said have cured abgar v of edessa of leprosy image of edessa, leading conversion in 30 ad. thaddaeus commissioned abgar proselytize throughout armenia, converted king sanatruk s daughter, martyred alongside thaddeus when sanatruk later fell apostasy. after this, bartholomew came armenia, bringing portrait of virgin mary, placed in nunnery founded on former temple of anahit. bartholomew converted sister of sanatruk, once again martyred female relative , apostle converted her. both apostles ordained native bishops before execution, , other armenians had been ordained outside of armenia james just.

according eusebius , tertullian, armenian christians persecuted kings axidares, khosrov i, , tiridates iii, last of whom converted christianity gregory illuminator. ancient armenia s adoption of christianity state religion (the first state so) has been referred nina garsoïan crucial step in history. conversion distinguished iranian , mazdean roots , protected further parthian influence. other scholars have stated acceptance of christianity arsacid-armenian rulers partly in defiance of sassanids.

when king trdat iv made christianity state religion of armenia between 301 , 314, not entirely new religion there. had penetrated country @ least third century, , may have been present earlier.

tiridates declared gregory first catholicos of armenian church , sent him caesarea consecrated. upon return, gregory tore down shrines idols, built churches , monasteries, , ordained many priests , bishops. while meditating in old capital city of vagharshapat, gregory had vision of christ descending earth , striking hammer. spot arose great christian temple huge cross. convinced god intended him build main armenian church there. king s did in accord vision. renamed city etchmiadzin, means place of descent of only-begotten .

initially armenian church participated in larger church world , catholicos represented @ first council of nicea (325). in 353, king papas (pap) appointed catholicos husik without first sending him caesarea commissioning before rome had plans roman universal church. catholicos still represented @ first council of constantinople (381).

christianity strengthened in armenia in 5th century translation of bible armenian language native theologian, monk, , scholar st. mesrob mashtots. before 5th century, armenians had spoken language, not written. thus, bible , liturgy written in greek or syriac rather armenian. catholicos sahak commissioned mesrob create armenian alphabet, completed in 406. subsequently, bible , liturgy translated armenian , written in new script. translation of bible, along translation of other works of history, literature , philosophy, caused flowering of armenian literature , broader cultural renaissance.

although unable attend council of ephesus (431), catholicos isaac parthiev sent message agreeing decisions.

however, non doctrinal elements in council of chalcedon caused problems arise.