Comparison to other churches Armenian Apostolic Church

pope tawadros ii of alexandria of coptic orthodox church, patriarch ignatius aphrem ii of syriac orthodox church, catholicos aram of armenian apostolic orthodox church in lebanon @ oriental orthodox communion.

liturgically speaking, church has in common both latin rite in externals, @ time of separation, eastern orthodox church. example, armenian bishops wear mitres identical of western bishops. not use full iconostasis, rather sanctuary veil (a curtain cross or divine image in center, used syriac churches). liturgical music armenian chant. many of armenian churches have pipe organs accompany chant.

armenian priests below rank of bishop allowed married before ordination , descendants surnames prefixed prefix der (or ter in eastern armenian), meaning lord , indicate lineage. such married priest known kahana.

the armenian apostolic church celebrates nativity of jesus in combination feast of epiphany, putting armenian christmas on 6 january in church s calendar. contrasts more common celebration of christmas on 25 december, western christian tradition, armenia briefly adopted before reverting original practice.

since 1923, church has used gregorian calendar shared civil authorities , western christian churches (not traditional armenian calendar). exception armenian patriarchate of jerusalem, old julian calendar used, putting nativity celebrations on 19 january in gregorian calendar.

the armenian apostolic church distinct armenian catholic church, latter being sui juris eastern catholic church, part of catholic church. when in 1740s, abraham-pierre ardzivian, had earlier become catholic, elected patriarch of sis, led part of armenian apostolic church full communion pope , armenian catholic church created.