Armenian Christianity
The first Christian State in the World.
In the year 301 AD, the deliverance of St. Gregory the Illuminator from the pit, was the catalyst that began the “Great Conversion” of Armenia from the darkness of paganism to the Light of Christianity.
This was one of the most crucial events in Armenian history, the conversion to Christianity. By adopting the new religion, Armenia established a distinct Christian character of its own and, at times, became identified with the Western world. King Tiridates III (Trdat), having been converted by Gregory the Illuminator, proclaimed Christianity as the religion of the state in 301 A.D. Thus, Armenia became the first nation to embrace Christianity officially. This was 12 years before the Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan which declared tolerance of Christians in the Roman Empire.
Gregory the Illuminator, later canonized, was elected Catholicos of the new Armenian national Church, the first in a long line of such clergy to he elected supreme head of the Armenian Church. The creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405 A.D. solidified the unifying factor of the Armenian language for the divided nation.
Apostolic Succession.
Apostolic Succession of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia for Armenian Catholics.
Among the Armenians, Catholicos was originally a simple title for the principal bishop of the country who was subordinate to the See of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
The bishops of Albania and Georgia, although independent on the Catholicos of Armenia, bore the same title.
The Apostolic Faith reaches Armenia, Bishops strive to uphold the faith there.
1. St. Thaddeus (circ. A.D. 50)
2. St. Bartholomew 50-68
A comprehensive list of the Apostolic Succession is presented by
St Gregory Armenian Catholic Church website 
California USA, including a comprehenive dialogue about the primacy of the successor of Peter in the mystery of the church. You can find this under the Church then Primacy in the menu bar.
1700th Anniversary of Armenia becoming Christian.
"Our Armenian people too, with King Tiridates and his pagan court, were lost in darkness. Yet the year 301 became the Great Date, the Great Happening when to the Armenian World the darkness broke. There dawned the light of Christ, thanks to the prayers, the suffering and the miracles of the great Illuminator, St Gregory.
No one can separate us from this faith. We call the Holy Gospel father and our mother is the Catholic and Apostolic Church. (Eghishe).
Today we have the great joy of declaring a Jubilee Year, the 1700th year of Armenia becoming Christian."
December 31st, 2000.
Jubilee Message of His Beatitude, Nerses Bedros XIX, Patriarch Catholicos of the Armenian Catholics on the 1700th Anniversary of Armenia becoming Christian.
Read:
Armenian
English
Saints and Religious
ARMENIA - The first Christian State.
In the year 301 AD, the deliverance of St. Gregory the Illuminator from the pit, was the catalyst that began the “Great Conversion” of Armenia from the darkness of paganism to the Light of Christianity. This was one of the most crucial events in Armenian history, the conversion to Christianity. By adopting the new religion, Armenia established a distinct Christian character of its own and, at times, became identified with the Western world. King Tiridates III (Trdat), having been converted by Gregory the Illuminator, proclaimed Christianity as the religion of the state in 301 A.D. Thus, Armenia became the first nation to embrace Christianity officially. This was 12 years before the Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan which declared tolerance of Christians in the Roman Empire.
Saint Gregory the Illuminator. In the year 301 AD, the deliverance of St. Gregory the Illuminator from the pit, was the catalyst that began the “Great Conversion” of Armenia from the darkness of paganism to the Light of Christianity.
Armenian monk, theologian and linguist, known for having invented the Armenian alphabet.
The Martyr IGNATIUS MALOYAN (1869-1915), Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Mardin. Beatified at Rome, on 7th of October 2001.
Bishop Of Sebaste And Martyr. Physician. Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia.
Pope Francis has declared Armenian poet and monk, Saint Gregory of Nareg, a Doctor of the Universal Church.
Australia's First Saint, (Mary MacKillop 1867). "We must teach more by example than by word".
He is most famous for his ‘General Epistle’ which was directed to the Armenian people, eloquently guiding them in their faith, for his many letters, orations, poems, such as “Lament for Edessa,” a moving masterpiece on the destruction of that city, commentaries and ecclesiastical studies.
Pope Francis has declared Armenian poet and monk, Saint Gregory of Nareg, a Doctor of the Universal Church.
A daily calendar of Saints remembered by the Church. by Vatican News.
Behavior of saints
The eloquent life of the saints is an example աղբյուր a source of inspiration for all who seek to live a Christian life. There is no more effective means of upbringing and education than the example of life. (radiomariam.am)
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
www.vatican.va
"Why are you afraid ? Have you no faith ?"
Khachkar (Kha - ch - kar) or Cross-Stone
is the unique manifestation of Christian Armenian national art which in its Christian form and type has no other equivalent in the world. An integral dimension of Armenian sculptural art; with high artistic standards and strong national character, occupies a worthy position in the treasury of international art. Khachkars are also an expression of the Christian faith and high aesthetics taste of the Armenian nation, nation that was first to officially adopt the Christian faith in the year 301 of Our Lord Saviour. In the deep respect and commemoration of the Khachkar by the International community, a Khachkar was placed in the front entrance of the Main Hall of the United Nations in New York.
Vocation
Make this your special year.
Discuss with me your intentions.
Let me answer your questions.
Call me anytime.
Fr Basil..
Online Vocations Resource:
Vocational Information Bzommar Vank.