By Hye Etch

Introduction

eligion, the invisible force that has kept this ancient nation from annihilation. This small nation, which has survived against all odds thanks to their faith in God All Mighty.

Armenians pride themselves to be the first nation to adopt Christianity as the official religion of their state (301 A.D.). Throughout the centuries the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church has been the eternal flame of this faithful nation, the flame which has guided this nation through dark and treacherous roads and ensured their survival to this date.

This chapter will introduce the reader to the history of the Armenian Church and its faith, you will learn about the functional-hierarchical structure of the church and the religious feasts. Get acquainted with the four hierarchical Sees (with pictures of their treasures) in the Armenian Church: The Catholicosate of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin; The Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia; The Patriarchate of Jersualem and The Patriarchate of Constantinople. Travel through time and read about the Armenian Saints and Catholicoi since the Apostles.

A special section is provided to inform the reader about the regulations pertaining to the administration of marriages, divorces, baptisms, funerals, memorials and other sacraments, followed by the basic rules and manners practiced in the Armenian Church, and a complete translation of the Holy Liturgy (Sourp Badarak) into English. Last but not least, the reader can recite well known Armenian prayers and learn how to address the clergy.

Pictures and illustration are provided, as visual aids to assist the reader to better understand their subject. By clicking on an image, an enlarged version will be displayed accompanied by a caption.

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