The Armenian Apostolic Church
An introduction to the church’s origins, its liturgy, and its role in Armenian communities.
Origins and tradition
The Armenian Apostolic Church belongs to the Oriental Orthodox family. Church tradition traces Christianity in Armenia to the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. Gregory the Illuminator and King Tiridates III are central to the traditional account of Armenia’s adoption of Christianity in 301 CE.
Holy Etchmiadzin
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Vagharshapat, near Yerevan, is a historic spiritual center of the church. The church’s worship includes the Divine Liturgy, known in Armenian as the Badarak.
Community life
Armenian Apostolic parishes in Armenia and abroad serve as places of worship and often support religious instruction, language education, and community gatherings.