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Photo Gallery Photo provided by Armeniapedia.org.
Christianity |
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In Armenia, Christianity was declared the state religion in 301 A.D., therefore making it the first ever nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion. It was first introduced to the kingdom by two of Jesus’ apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, in first century A.D. It was then largely introduced due to the efforts of St. Gregory the Illuminator. He converted Armenia’s Kind Trdat III, who had previously persecuted Christians. After this, conversion of the entire population followed. St. Gregory built the Mother Church in Etchmiadzin in 303 A.D. |
How Christianity Survived |
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Then in 450 A.D., Persia issued that all Armenian Christians must embrace the Zoroastrian religion. At the time, the prince, Vartan Mamigonian, rose to revolt against Persia because he didn’t want his people to conform to their religion. This brought about the Battle of Avarayr. Vartan was killed in the battle, but under the rule of his nephew Vahan, Armenians continued the war for 30 years. They won through a peace accord in 484 A.D. and Armenian Christianity survived. |
The Armenian Church |
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The Armenian Church became known as the Armenian Apostolic Church or the Gregorian Church and it still resides in Etchmiadzin today. The Church had maintained two Patriarchates: one in Jerusalem and one in Istanbul. In Jerusalem, the Armenian Patriarchate is the guardian of the Holy Places in the possession of the Armenians. In Istanbul, the Patriarchate serves a community of 50,000 Armenians living in the area. |
Other Armenian Religions |
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Even though Christianity is the major religion among Armenians, a small amount of Roman Catholic and Protestant communities exist. This is because Catholic missionaries began converting Armenians in the Ottoman and Persian Empires in the early modern era and American Protestant missionaries were active in doing the same in the 19th century. |
Importance of Christianity Today |
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Today, Christianity is a huge part of Armenians’ lives all around the world. If it wasn't for people such as Vartan Mamigonian and his nephew Vahan, Armenians wouldn't be Christian’s nor would they be as strong a culture as they are today. Christianity is what holds the culture together and is what has saved them from the influence of other religions. This is why Armenians are proud to say they were the first nation to accept Christianity as their state religion. |
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