Shoghakat Devrikyan - Works of art depicting the “Meeting” of Gregory the Illuminator and Pope Sylvester I

14 Pages | 135-149 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2024.2-135 |

Revceived on: 2024-05-30 | Reviewed on: 2024-05-29 | Accepted for printing on: 2024-07-10

Published in: 2024 N 2 (226) / Arts

The legend of the meeting of the King Tiridates III of Armenia, St. Gregory the Illuminator, Roman Emperor Constantine I, and Pope Sylvester I is an integral part of Armenian–Roman history. Over the centuries, it has been enriched with various details, sanctified, and completed during the Cilician period in the «Letter of Love and Concord». This event, often the subject of doubt and extensive studies, has also been depicted in various works of art, including miniatures, wall paintings, engravings, and icon paintings.

KeywordsGregory the Illuminator Pope Sylvester I King Tiridates III Emperor Constantine I "Letter of Love and Concord" adoption of Christianity Church San Gregorio Armeno in Naples Rome Isfahan.

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Ashot Manucharyan - Episcopal diocese of Vanand (IV–VIII centuries)

9 Pages | 40-49 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2024.1-40 |

Revceived on: 2023-04-20 | Reviewed on: 2023-05-19 | Accepted for printing on: 2024-03-22

Published in: 2024 N 1 (225) / History

Abstract / Keywords

The episcopacy of Vanand was one of the ancient 12/13 dioceses of Armenia, which were confirmed by St. Gregory the Illuminator at the beginning of the 4th century. Some time later, with the second diocesan branch of St. Gregory the Illuminator, it became the 15th among the 30 (36) major dioceses of Armenia, occupying a central place. The episcopacy of Vanand played a decisive role in the national church affairs of the country in the early Middle Ages.

Keywordsepiscopacy diocese Vanand ancient main central place Middle Ages national church Catholicos.

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Kristine Kostikyan - Christians in the Sheki region and the petition of the Islamized Armenian-Udins (IX–XIX centuries)

15 Pages | 30-45 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2023.3-30 |

Revceived on: 2023-02-25 | Reviewed on: 2023-03-27 | Accepted for printing on: 2023-11-29

Published in: 2023 N 3 (224) / History

Abstract / Keywords

The Islamization of the Christians in the Sheki region was intensive from the very beginning of the XVIII century when the weakened Safavid Iran was not able to keep control over the region. There was no longer a force in the region capable to withstand the frequent raids of the North Caucasian tribes who treated the infidels with particular cruelty. The short periods of the Ottoman Empire dominance and Nadir Shah’s rule were also characterized by great destruction caused to the region.

KeywordsSheki Christian Armenian Udi Islamization Church of Aghvank khanate petition.

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Siranush Fahradyan - Inscriptions and images on the seals of the Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem in the XIX century

19 Pages | 258-277 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2023.3-258 |

Revceived on: 2023-06-20 | Reviewed on: 2023-07-18 | Accepted for printing on: 2023-11-29

Published in: 2023 N 3 (224) / Archaeology

Abstract / Keywords

A number of archival documents relating to the activities of the XIX century patriarchs of Armenian Apostolic Patriarchate of Jerusalem - Theodoros Vanetsi (1801-1818), Gabriel Nikomedatsi (1819-1840), Zakaria Kopetsi (1841-1846), Kirakos of Jerusalem (1846-1850), Hovhannes Zmyurnatsi (1850-1860), Esai Talastsi (1864-1885), Harutyun Vehapetyan (1889-1910), summarized in the archive of the Matenadaran after Mesrop Mashtots, have confirming seals.

KeywordsArmenian patriarchate of Jerusalem archival documents seal church heraldry decoding of seal inscriptions Resurrection scene in the seals.

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Vardan Alexanyan - Armenian church in the period of restoration of the internal autonomy of Armenia (First half of the 9th century)

22 Pages | 62-84 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2022.3-62 |

Revceived on: 2022-06-21 | Reviewed on: 2022-06-23 | Accepted for printing on: 2022-11-09

Published in: 2022 N 3 (221) / History

Abstract / Keywords

In the VIII-IX centuries, feudal landownership, which constituted the economic basis of the Armenian Church, underwent structural changes. Newly built monasteries form their infrastructure and acquire large plots of land. In the context of interfaith disputes and attacks from Islam, the church strengthens its theoretical foundations and creates its own legislation. A clear definition of the ritual-religious and theological principles of the Armenian Church contributes to the development of awareness of national and religious identity.

KeywordsArmenian church Arab rulers monastery religious persecution Bagarat Bagratuni David II Kakaghetsi Hovhannes IV Ovaetsi Mutavaqqil apostasy rebellion Tondrakian movement martyrdom.

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Avetis Grigoryan - Prince residence Sotk: History and monuments

19 Pages | 125-144 |

Revceived on: 2021-01-14 | Reviewed on: 2021-01-18 | Accepted for printing on: 2021-03-03

Published in: 2021 N 1 (216) / Articles, reports

Abstract / Keywords

Sotk village is located in the south-east of Gegharkunik province of the Republic of Armenia. According to Stepanos Orbelyan, the name of the settlement originates from the name of the cold wind blowing from the mountain pass to Sevan. The Armenian identity of medieval Sotk is evidenced not only by about two dozen Armenian medieval written sources, but also by historical monuments in the vicinity of the village – churches, khachkars, Armenian inscriptions. The church of Sotk belonged to the Diocese of the Makenyats Monastery of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which was one of the oldest orders of the Armenian Church.

KeywordsSotk Middle Ages culture Christianity monuments excavations fortress church khachkar inscription princely family.

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Aelita Dolukhanyan - The byzantinist and Armenologist with international fame

23 Pages | 7-30 |

Revceived on: 2021-05-25 | Reviewed on: 2021-06-11 | Accepted for printing on: 2021-06-15

Published in: 2021 N 2 (217) / Articles, reports

Abstract / Keywords

Nicholas Adonts (1871–1942) is one of the outstanding Armenian scholars who received an excellent education in Russia and Europe. During his studies at the University of St. Petersburg and later, when he improved his knowledge in well-known educational centers of Europe – in London, Paris, Vienna, Strasbourg and Munich, Adonts had the support of the great national benefactor Alexander Mantashiants.

KeywordsN. Adonts Saint Petersburg armenologist byzantinist monumental works Brussels Paris Armenian question Armenian Church multilingual.

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Vahe Sargsyan - The legislative regulation of the legal status of the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in post-Soviet Georgia

15 Pages | 134-149 |

Revceived on: 2021-06-07 | Reviewed on: 2021-06-14 | Accepted for printing on: 2021-06-24

Published in: 2021 N 2 (217) / Articles, reports

Abstract / Keywords

Since independence, Georgia has not adopted a law regulating the field of religious organizations and defining their rights and obligations (“Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations”). The relations between the latter and the state are regulated by a constitutional agreement approved by the Parliament as of October 22, 2002.

KeywordsGeorgia religious organizations Georgian Orthodox Church legal status constitutional agreement Civil Code legal entity under public law Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia property rights churches.

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Vahe Sargsyan - The issue of the affiliation of Armenian churches in the Georgian press (the 1st decade of the 21st century)

30 Pages | 72-102 | DOI: Doi.10.52853/01350536-2021.3-72 |

Revceived on: 2021-09-21 | Reviewed on: 2021-11-16 | Accepted for printing on: 2021-11-22

Published in: 2021 N 3 (218) / Articles, reports

Abstract / Keywords

The religious organizations operating in Georgia (including the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Georgia) throughout the post-Soviet period demanded the adoption of a law on religious organizations and the return of property confiscated during the Soviet era, historical and architectural monuments, land, etc. These demands, however, have always been confronted with the rigid and denialist positions of the Georgian secular and spiritual authorities, as well as the socio-political and scientific circles.

KeywordsGeorgia Georgian Orthodox Church Tbilisi Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia churches Javakhk Lori Gugark Tayk orthodox Armenians Georgian socio-political and scientific circles press.

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Lusine Sahakyan - Some observations on the relationship of Komitas Vardapet with the Armenian Apostolic Church

12 Pages | 121-133 | DOI: Doi.10.52853/01350536-2021.3-121 |

Revceived on: 2021-08-25 | Reviewed on: 2021-09-08 | Accepted for printing on: 2021-10-17

Published in: 2021 N 3 (218) / Articles, reports

Abstract / Keywords

Komitas Vardapet’s relationship with the Armenian Apostolic Church has not been studied in depth to this day. During the Soviet era, the attitude towards Komitas was unilateral as he was a member of Etchmiadzin Congregation. Modern studies on Komitas present a new approach to this issue of Komitas’s biography. The present article is another attempt to look at the relationship of Komitas with the Church in a new light, with new perspectives. In the article, Komitas’s relationship with the Armenian Apostolic Church is examined in two directions:․

KeywordsKomitas Vardapet Holy Etchmiadzin Armenian Apostolic Church spiritual heritage music culture.

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Henrik Khachatryan - The ecclesiastical diocesan division of Marzpan Armenia (428–630s)

16 Pages | 34-50 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2025.2-34 |

Revceived on: 2025-03-26 | Reviewed on: 2025-03-28 | Accepted for printing on: 2025-07-11

Published in: 2025 N 2 (229) / History

Abstract / Keywords

The Armenian Church, with its structure and functions, has been an inseparable part of the Armenian statehood. The study of its history, the diocesan structure, the history and status of individual dioceses, the relations between the state and the church, the church and the nobility (princes), as well as the church's interactions with foreign states in the absence of an independent state, provides us with a more accurate understanding of the processes. Indeed, the diocesan structure of the marzpanate period has been addressed in one way or another, but, in the whole, the research conducted in this area was either one-sided or incomplete.

KeywordsMarzpan Armenia bishop Ukhtanes dioces episcopacy church council Bagrevand Mardpetakan.

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Chake Mangassarian-Menkechian (Dubai) - The peculiarities of the current stage of development of the Armenian community in the UAE (in Eng.)

24 Pages | 58-82 | DOI: DOI: 10.54503/0135-0536-2025.3-58 |

Revceived on: 2025-10-30 | Reviewed on: 2025-11-03 | Accepted for printing on: 2025-11-17

Published in: 2025 N 3 (230) / History

Abstract / Keywords

The evolution of the Armenian community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the early 21st century is characterized by distinct features influenced by both the state’s development and internal Armenian dynamics. This article delves into the key aspects of the community’s progress in the UAE, focusing on cultural preservation, Armenian media, community activities, migration patterns, and efforts to uphold Armenian heritage through institutions like churches and one-day and Sunday schools.

KeywordsUAE Armenian community press and online media churches day and Sunday schools migration event analysis

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Ashot Manucharyan - Arevik branch of the Syunik thronal princes

6 Pages | 193-199 | DOI: DOI: 10.54503/0135-0536-2025.3-193 |

Revceived on: 2025-11-05 | Reviewed on: 2025-11-11 | Accepted for printing on: 2025-11-17

Published in: 2025 N 3 (230) / Archaeology

Abstract / Keywords

In the result of the conducted research, we added the sixth branch to the five ones of the ruling royal princes of Syunik – branch of princes of the province of Arevik. The basis for this was the inscription on the khachkar installed in the southern corner of the eastern wall of the Church of St. Stepanos in the village of Vank restored in 1554, Meghri region. This inscription, dated 902, mentions “Lord Smbat”. According to the research and purchase contracts of the Tatev Monastery for the period from 839 to 891, the title of “Lord” was borne by diocesan bishops and throne princes. The same Smbat is mentioned on the khachkar, dated 911, which was erected in the rural area of Lichkvaz in the region of Meghri.

Keywords Syunik Arevik Meghri throne prince church khachkar inscription

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