When the Armenian Church was called Apostolic? If I am not mistaken in its time it has been called Gregorian.
Calling our Church Gregorian we forget about those 240 years when Christianity had already entered into Armenia. Apostles St. Bartholomew and St. Thaddeus have founded the Church of Christ in Armenia, and Christianity was proclaimed as the state religion of Armenia thanks to the efforts and during the period of reign of St. Gregory the Illuminator. In the famous document called “Polozhenie” instead of the Armenian Apostolic Church it has been written by mistake “Armenian Gregorian Church”. That mistake was made about two centuries ago but conversations about it are continued up to date. Whereas all churches are called Apostolic and their doctrine is Orthodox because of being founded by the Apostles.
With blessing, Fr. Shmavon Ghevondian
What is tithe (“Tasanord”), is it alms?
From the very beginning tithe (“Tasanord”) has been a tax of one tenth of one’s yearly profit or income paid in former times for the support the priest of the local church and its history is the following. When the Jewish nation was distributing the Promised Land between 12 tribes 11 of the tribes were granted arable lands, whereas the 12th tribe – the Levites, which was the tribe of priests, wasn’t granted arable land. It means that priests should serve their nation’s spiritual needs without thinking about material values. Whereas the remaining 11 tribes should take care of the Levites and give of one tenth of their yearly profit or income to the priests. It was in the order or things and later Christian Church preserved that tradition. Hence the conclusion that tithe is paid to the priest. You may pay tithe each month to the priest whom you like. Whereas giving alms is quite another thing, it is a God-pleasing and Christian virtue.
Answer to the question prepared by Fr. Shmavon Ghevondian
The Armenian Apostolic Church is called also Orthodox. Is the Armenian Apostolic Church one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches? Is it in communion with the Greek Orthodox Church?
Armenian Apostolic Church belongs to the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Assyrian Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Malankara Orthodox Church also belong to the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Armenian Apostolic Church cooperates with the Greek Orthodox Church. If in the given country or city there is no Armenian Apostolic Church, in case of necessity Armenians may receive Holy Communion in the Greek Orthodox Church.
Answer to the question prepared by Fr. Babken Hayrapetian
When and in which countries did the Assyrian, Malankara, Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches come into existence?
Assyrian Orthodox Church is one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Head of the Assyrian Orthodox Church is the Patriarch of Antioch and All East and since 1959 his residence is in Damascus, the capital city of Syria. Assyrian Orthodox Church has originated from the early Christian community of Antioch which is mentioned in “The Acts of the Apostles.” Apostles St. Barnabas, St. Paul and St. Peter have realized activity in Antioch. Apostle St. Paul is considered to be the founder of the Church. The main theological institution of the Assyrian Orthodox Church is the Orthodox Seminary of St. Ephrem founded in 1939, in Mosul, Iraq. In 1995 new branches of Orthodox Seminary of St. Ephrem have been opened In Sayedniya, nearby Damascus.
In 1993 the Patriarch of the Assyrian Orthodox Church has separated the communities of the Indian faithful from the Diocese of Syria and has created the Malankara Diocese of the Assyrian Orthodox Church in North America under the leadership of Metropolitan Mar Nikolosos Zakaria. The Diocese is composed of 23 parishes where 25 clergymen serve. Also there are 6 Assyrian Orthodox churches in Australia. Patriarchal Vicar Archbishop serves in Australia.
Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, too. The founder of the Church is Evangelist St. Mark, the first Bishop of the See of Alexandria (1st century). The Head of the Church is the Patriarch whose residence after Alexandria, since 9th century is in Cairo, where the Cathedral of St. Mark was built in 1968.
Since 1971 the Head of the Coptic Orthodox is His Holiness Sphenoid III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church also is one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Till 1951 Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church was under the administrative subordination of the Coptic Orthodox Church and its head should be of Coptic nationality and should be ordained in Egypt. Christianity came to Ethiopia when Apostle St. Philip baptized the eunuch of the Queen Candace of Ethiopia (See Ac 8:26-28). Christianity was officially adopted by the state in 318 or 340 thanks to the efforts of the pious merchant Frumentius later renamed Abuna Salama.
Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as the Greek Orthodox, the Roman Catholic and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches, have certain rights in the Holy Land - Jerusalem.
I wish to know more about St. George and about his origin. Why the Armenian Church is called Gregorian?
St. Gevorg the Captain (St. George the Warrior) was from Cappadocia. He was born in a pious Christian family. Becoming a soldier of the Roman Army in a short period he deserved the honor of becoming Captain thanks to his courage and devotion. During the council convened by the Roman Emperor Dioklethianos he opposed to the king’s plans on Christians’ execution, and thus the fact that he was Christian, was revealed. The King, becoming surprised and astonished, ordered to imprison the Captain and subjected him to severe torments. Many people, among them the Queen Alexandria, became Christians thanks to the preaching of St. George. A magician was ordered to prepare two kinds of remedies for trying the saint and changing his faith. By the first cup the saint should change his mind, and drinking the second cup, he should die. St. Gevorg drank both cups, but thanks to the power of his faith towards God he remained alive. He also rose a man from the dead. After the King’s repeated requests St. Gevorg finally agreed to offer sacrifice to the idols. However, reaching the heathen church he broke all idols one by one. For this act the King ordered to behead St. Gevorg and he was martyred in about 303 A. D. The picture of St. George depicting him stinging the boa with a lance, that is – winning the evil, can be found almost in all churches named after St. George. The name “Gregorian” ascribed to the Armenian Church isn’t correct. In the 19th century the Russian Tsar demanded a document concerning the status of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and it was prepared in 2 languages – Armenian and Russian. Basing on the fact that during the period of reign of St. Gregory the Illuminator Christianity was proclaimed as the state religion of Armenia, in the Russian variant translator had by mistake written “Armenian Gregorian Church” in that way erasing the 300-year-old Christian community life in Armenia. Presently some Churches repeat that mistake and thus decrease the age of our Church. And the word “Orthodox” means glorifying in the right way, being on the right way, that is – “orthodoxy”. As by means of the name of our Church we have wished to stress the circumstance of its being founded by the apostles naturally it follows that if our Church is founded by the Apostles, hence it is on the right way and it is orthodox. In order to oppose the Roman Catholic Church and to stress that it is the only true Church, the Greek Church has included the term “Orthodox” in its name. So, the complete name of our Church is “Armenian Holy Apostolic Church.”
Answer to the question prepared by Fr. Shmavon Ghevondian
Why doesn’t the world recognize us as the first Christian nation? Also I would like to know more about the activity of the Apostles St. Thaddew and St. Bartholomew in Armenia.
Each year, on September 30, all Orthodox and Catholic Churches commemorate the memory of St. Gregory the Illuminator. That is, he is a universal saint commemorated by all traditional (Orthodox, Catholic, Coptic, etc.) Churches. Commemorating the saint, people recollect that he has converted a whole country – Armenia, to Christianity. And naturally, everyone knows when and how Armenia adopted Christianity. After the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon convened in 451, a number of Churches considered the Armenian Church diverged as the Armenian Church, as well as a number of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, refused to adopt resolution of Chalcedon. Our Church remained loyal to its principles. That was why there were negative opinions concerning the Armenian Church and even the Roman Catholic Church made an attempt to distort the historical years saying that Armenians had adopted Christianity only after Byzantium. Also they rejected the fact that Apostles St. Thaddew and St. Bartholomew have first preached Christianity in Armenia. And although those attempts were useless, as the result of those attempts cold and unfriendly relations had been preserved between the Churches. However, recently warmer relations between the Churches were established, there were dialogues, ecumenical movement started. And what refers to the activitry of the Apostles St. Thaddew and St. Bartholomew in Armenia, information about them can be found in the book “Biography of Saints.”
Answer to the question prepared by Acolyte Souren Nersessian
Is there a Church of St. Mesrop Mashtots in the village Garni except the Church of St. Mesrop Mashtots of Oshakan?
On July 21, 2006, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, blessed the foundation of the Church of St. Mesrop Mashtots in the suburb of Erebuni, Yerevan. The construction of the church is scheduled to be completed in about three years. So, the faithful will have the chance to visit the church and pray there. On the right of the heathen Monastery of Garni there is the foundation of the ruined chapel of St. Mesrop Mashtots. Besides, there is also the Church of St. Mesrop Mashtots in the village Oshakan which is the diocesan headquarters church of the Diocese of Aragatsotn.
Answer to the question prepared by Fr. Haykazoun Mkrtchian
Recently there was a very interesting dispute concerning fortune-telling during the TV program “5th Wheel”. During the program it was found out that many people believe in fortune-telling. One of the reasons for that fact is that the Church is unable to heal by means of prayer, and that’s why people turn to various fortune-tellers. I think in that sense the Church neglects its mission.
Presently there are plenty of such films and programs which do not correspond to the accepted system of spiritual values. Unfortunately presently many people believe in various fortune-tellers. It is not the Church that is unable to heal the sick by means of prayer, but it is the people that don’t believe in God. In the Gospel we read that when healing the sick Jesus accorded importance to the faith and healed those who believed. “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” (Mk 10:52). People won’t be healed even if they don’t believe in the influence of medicine, to say nothing of being healed by means of prayer without believing. Certainly, it may seem that the Church neglects its mission because the number of the population of Yerevan is about one million, and there are only 20-25 priests, so there is lack of clergy. However, people should remain loyal to the faith of ancestors, so that sectarians would be unable to proselytize the flock.
Answer to the question prepared by Fr. Shmavon Ghevondian
Can the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches be considered to be apostolic-founded and sister churches if they accept the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon and are under curse?
Those churches are considered to be apostolic-founded which have been founded by the apostles. And the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon was convened in 451, that is – after nearly 400 years. And only because of disagreement during the Council it is impossible to renounce fact of the Churches’ being apostolic-founded. The division of that period was the result of some subtle theological issues.
Answers to the questions prepared by Fr. Ghazar Petrossian2. Q. What is the viewpoint of the Armenian Apostolic Church on homosexuality?
A. Let’s mention from the very beginning that the viewpoint of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as the other Orthodox Churches founded by the Apostles is unanimously negative in relation to this issue. Homosexuality is a spiritual vice and sin. As a proof of my words I would like to note that both homosexuality and lesbianism as sins are included in the special supplication in which all the possible sins are enumerated.
The Holy Bible recognizes and accepts only one form of sexual relations, that is - relations between man and woman. Christ also confirms the same opinion saying, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?” Matthew 19:4-5). In the second part Jesus certainly meant the sacrament of marriage when with God’s blessing the man and the woman enter into agreement. Therefore all kinds of homosexual relations are unnatural and worth condemning.
In general homosexuality is a considered as a disgusting phenomenon and sin both in the Old and New Testaments. It is distinctly written in the Holy Bible, “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:13).
In the New Testament there are Apostle Paul’s judgments about sexual degenerations, in which he strictly condemns both homosexuality and lesbianism, which are unbefitting the Christian and the result of sin. According to the apostle because of moral degradation the human being instead of worshiping God began to warship the human being. And what is terrible is that the women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and as the Apostle notes, “receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.” (Romans 1:26-27)
I think we Christians should take serious lessons of the history of Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise acted immorally and indulged in unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1:7)
Answer to the question prepared by Deacon Tigran Baghumian
3. Q. What is the attitude of the Armenian Church to fashion?
A. God granted clothes to the human being in order to cover the body. To wear fashionable clothes doesn’t mean to wear improperly. Fashionable clothes may be both proper and improper. Being an eternal structure, the Church is with the times and above the times. Fashion is the manifestation of the human being’s free will. By means of clothes the human being reveals himself/herself. Clothes also reveal the human being’s taste, customs, hobbies, social background and status. Fashion is also mentality.
Answer to the question prepared by Fr. Shahe Hayrapetian
4. Q. What is the standpoint of the Armenian apostolic Church to cremation?
A. The Armenian Apostolic Church believes that Jesus Christ rose from the tomb.
5. Q. The Gospel preaches love and kindness. And the present-day means of mass media are flood with hatred. So what should we do, shouldn’t we watch TV?
A. Anything in the world may serve both to the kind and the evil initiative. TV isn’t an evil means, but it may serve for evil means. I don’t say that we should start crusaders’ campaign against TV. Simply we should avoid those means of mass media, which realize such kind of preaching and contribute to the spreading of the evil.
Answer to the question prepared by Bishop Mikayel Ajapahian
6. Q. Why is the rock music considered to the result of the evil?
A. I personally don’t like the rock music. It has a negative influence on many people. It doesn’t wake up any positive feelings in the human being. The rock music doesn’t create the peace and harmony, as, for instance, the spiritual music does. Rock music and spiritual music are completely different things. Spiritual music disposes the human being to prayer and concentration, and the rock music simply causes anxiety. However, there are also people who like it. That’s a matter of taste. I think that if someone after listening the rock music listens the spiritual music, those simple and sacred church hymns and songs, he/she will refuse of the rock music and be fond of the spiritual music.
Answer to the question prepared by Fr. Zaven Hakobian
7. Q. Is presently accepted to pay dues (tasanord) to the Church?
A. This system described in the Old Testament presently doesn’t exist in the Armenian Church. However, the faithful have always had the notion or the principle of the dues (tasanord) expressed in such notions as national dues, donation, present, gift, grant, and participation.
8. Q. What kind of role has the Church in the public life?
A. “The Church can’t remain indifferent towards the problems of the world. World is the creation of God, and therefore for the Christian it is sacred reality. And wherever there is injustice, violence, discrimination, the Church should not stray from its vocation stating that those are the problems of the state and that they are not related to the spiritual sphere. The Church can't remain indifferent towards the sufferings of the people; it can’t stop opposing the manifestations of injustice displayed towards separate individuals, groups or people. I think the Church not only should condemn in words the social evil, but also, using its possibilities, it should do its best to eliminate the evil. Already for many centuries the Church realizes some social functions, which do a credit to the Church. I remember that a Moslem political leader of the Near East once said, “I can’t admit Christ’s teaching and your faith, for instance, the point referring the Holy Trinity. However, I kneel before those sisters” (and he indicated the Catholic nuns) “who have left their prosperous countries in order to take care of the sick, the disabled, the orphans, the elderly... ” The mission of the Church becomes indisputable, if it is not limited only by sermon and is displayed in real service.”
Karekin I Catholicos of All Armenians
9. Q. Is cloning a positive or a negative phenomenon?
A. “My attitude towards the machinations in the sphere of human life is negative. The life granted to us by God is the greatest mystery of the creation. To turn the human being into an industrial or a workshop product means to ridicule the sacred sense of the human life. I don’t know whether the science can produce human beings by means of cloning or in other methods or not, but I think we should refuse such experiments. I think the legislation should restrict such experiments. Here the speech is about the human life. If it is possible to produce or to create a human being in a similar way, then he/she will stop to be an individual and will become a thing, an object. The freedom of scientific research can’t contradict the freedom gratuitously granted to the human being together with life, the source of which is God.”
Karekin I Catholicos of All Armenians
10. Q. What is the attitude of the Church to abortions?
A. “The human life is not created by the human being and that’s why it is not the human being’s ownership. Life is the gift of God and we should be accountable before God on how we live our life. We are not the owners of our life and body and that’s why we can’t be use our life and body for pleasures and according to our self-will. The human life is a sacred thing and we should regard the human life respectfully. There are no formulated rules in relation to this issue. We haven’t made up any decisions and haven’t made any official announcements in regard to each moral problem. However, our Church exhorts the faithful to respect the sacred nature of life and not to do abortion, which stops the development of the human life.”
Karekin I Catholicos of All Armenians
11. Q. Doesn’t Christianity lead to globalization? We know that there are meny trends in Christianity.
A. Christianity is a universal religion. The Armenian Apostolic Church is a component part of that universality, and however, according to its nature it is a national Church. The history of our nation is an eloquent witness of that fact. The Armenian’s spiritual-moral and cognitive nature is conditioned by national nature of Christianity.
Answer to the question prepared by Fr. Adam Makarian