Armenian Church, The

Armenian Church, The, “is one of the oldest Eastern Christian churches not in communion with the orthodox Greek Church or with the Church of Rome. The historical founder of the Armenian Church was S. Gregory, called the ‘ Illuminator.’ He was a prince of a reigning family, and after his conversion to Christianity was eager for the conversion of his countrymen. In his missionary work he endured many persecutions, but at last managed to win over the King of Armenia and a considerable portion of his subjects. At the king’s desire Gregory went to Caesarea, or Sis, and was there consecrated bishop of Armenia (302 A. D.). The infant church grew and prospered in spite of the opposition of heathen fellow-countrymen and Persian conquerors. The Bible was translated in 410 A. D.; the Liturgy, said to be very old, was improved, and the Armenian bishops took part in some of the synods of the Church, notably in the third oecumenical council (Ephesus, 431 a. d.). The Armenian Church did not accept the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon, and in 491 A. D. the patriarch, in full synod, annulled them. This act led to the separation of the Armenian Church from the orthodox- Greek Church. In spite of national calamities, internal dissensions, and even banishment, the Armenian Church preserved its character, doctrine, and discipline until the middle of the fifteenth century, when controversies arose which resulted in schism. These quarrels were occasioned by Jesuit missionaries, who endeavored to make the Armenians adopt the doctrine, liturgy, and ceremonies of the Roman Church. They were successful in gaining many adherents, and the Catholic Armenians, as they were called, became a separate community toward the end of the sixteenth century. This schism weakened the orthodox church and revived the old persecutions. About the middle of the eighteenth century the patriarch sought and obtained the intervention of Peter the Great of Russia. Since then the Armenian Church has found shelter under the protection of Russia. There is now a reformation going on in the Armenian Church, and a Reformed Church has arisen, which seeks to ally itself with the Calvinist churches of Europe and America. The doctrines of the Armenians are almost identical with those of the orthodox Greek Church. Their Liturgy is said to date from the first century, and to have been founded on that of the Church of Jerusalem. Prayers are said for the dead, and entreaty is made for the pardon of their sins; but the church does not believe in purgatory, nor admit of indulgences. The Church of Armenia has the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the eucharist, penance, ordination, marriage, and extreme unction. Baptism is by immersion; the child is immersed three times; it is then anointed with holy oil, is confirmed, and partakes of the eucharist in both elements. Confirmation is administered to children immediately after baptism. The eucharist is administered in both elements to all members of the church. There is a threefold order of the clergy—bishops, priests, and deacons; and there are three degrees of episcopal rank—the archbishops (chief among whom is the patriarch), the bishop, and the varta-bed, or doctor of theology, who has frequently charge of a diocese, with episcopal I functions. The clergy are further divided into the black and white. The black clergy are monks, and are alone eligible for the higher clerical offices; the white clergy include the parish priests and lower clergy, and are permitted to marry before ordination, but not after. The clergy of all ranks are supported entirely by the free-will offerings of the people.”—Ency. Britannica.

American missionaries began work among the Armenians in Turkey, in 1831. For many years it was hoped that they might quietly, and without formal church organizations, exert an influence that would reform and spiritualize the ancient church from within. Persecution reluctantly compelled the missionaries to seek protection by forming a separate Protestant Church in 1850. There are now some seventy-five churches, with over five thousand members; three theological schools, and two colleges, besides Robert College which is not connected with the missions. Since the disruption a very friendly feeling has existed between the Protestants and the Old-Church Armenians.