The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, also known as the Armenian Church, is one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world. It is rooted in Armenia, a land located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church is an autocephalous (self-governing) Oriental Orthodox Christian church, which means it is independent and not under the jurisdiction of any other church authority.
This ancient Christian denomination traces its origins back to the apostolic times, attributing its foundation to the preaching of two of Jesus' apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, who brought Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century AD. Over the centuries, Armenian Christianity developed its own distinctive identity, theology, liturgy, and traditions.
The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church places a strong emphasis on its unique historical heritage. It holds a central role in the spiritual and cultural life of the Armenian people, both in Armenia and in diaspora communities around the world. The church's liturgy, music, architecture, and art reflect the rich cultural legacy of the Armenian people.
The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church adheres to the teachings and dogmas of the early Christian councils, including the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, where it diverged from the mainstream Byzantine Christianity. This divergence resulted in the Armenian Church being classified as an Oriental Orthodox church, along with other ancient Eastern Christian churches such as the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Today, the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church remains an important symbol of Armenian national identity and serves as a spiritual pillar for Armenians worldwide, providing guidance, support, and religious services to its faithful.
