Czy Ormianie są prawosławni?

Abstract

The above paper deals with the problem of the term „orthodox” used sometimes with regard to the Armenian national Church. The author, as a scholar specializing in Armenian linguistics, wrote a letter to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on this matter and received the reply which can be recapitulated as follows: The term „orthodox” does not occur in the official name of the Armenian Church (see below) whose head is the „Catholicos” residing in Etchmiadzin (west of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia) who is not under the authority of the Pope. The word ughghaparr (= „orthodox” in Armenian) is used with regard to the whole group called by Armenians „Ancient Oriental Orthodox Churches”. „Ancient” means here: existing as early as the first centuries of the Christian Era. The Armenian national Church whose official name is: The Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, does belong to this(!) group but not to the newer group called by Armenians just „Oriental (not: Ancient) Orthodox Churches” which comprises such Churches as the Greek, Russian, Bulgarian, Georgian etc. which are definitely distinct from the Western Christianity since the eleventh century when „the second split” (according to Armenians) occurred. The author of the paper also reminds that Armenians are proud of being the first Christian state of the world (the year 2001 is its 1700th anniversary). Their national Church separated from the other Christian Communities in the sixth century („the first split”), 552 being the first year of the „Armenian Era”. Small minorities of Armenians are Catholic (e.g. in Poland) as well as in France, USA and the Near East where Armenian Protestants are also found.