WE CONFESS
belief and confession
of the Armenian Apostolic Church
But faith is a firm confidence of
what one hopes and not doubting that
what you don't see. (Hebrews 11:1)
On these pages you can get basic information about the beliefs of the Armenian Apostolic Church. However, belief in itself is only alive when it is put into practice. Through the faith of our church, which we z. B. during the Sunday Surb Patarag (holy liturgy), we as a church are able to influence society. In this sense, we also understand our activities in the field of education, culture, social services, etc. Faith is not just a private matter.
Become an Armenian Apostolic Christian
How does one become part of the Church, who can be baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church, what does conversion from another Christian community mean and what is re-entry? You can find answers to these questions in this section.
According to the teaching of the Armenian Apostolic Church, initiation into the Church of Jesus Christ begins with Holy Baptism. It is the door to the community of believers. It is customary among Armenians to baptize infants. But there are also many adults who have not yet been baptized.
The proper baptism, performed with water and in the name of the triune God, is a one-off event (cf. the agreement signed by the Armenian Apostolic Church as well Baptismal recognition in Magdeburg 2007), it may not be repeated or undone.
Incorporation into the Church is completed on the one hand by the Myrrh Anointing and by receiving Holy Communion, which take place immediately after Baptism, and on the other hand by practicing the liturgical life of the Church. The commitment to a common faith of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the recognition of its church hierarchy play an indispensable role.
TIP: Are you looking for detailed information on baptism and contact persons who can help you with your request? You are welcome to contact the parish priest responsible for your area, the chancellery of the diocese or read more information on the following page: BAPTIZATION PREPARATION.
Even if you have already been baptized in a faith or church community, you can choose the Armenian Church and find a new spiritual home here.
Members of another church or religious community with which the Armenian Church is not in communion who express a desire to be received into the Armenian Church will:
a.) when duly baptized and anointed, received into the Church through the mystery of penance; b.) If they have been duly baptized but not anointed, they are admitted into church fellowship through the mysteries of penance and the anointing of myrrh.
In both cases, the pastoral accompaniment of the candidate and the public pronouncement of the creed of the Armenian Apostolic Church is an absolute must.
TIP: Are you looking for detailed information about the transfer and contact persons who will help you with your request? You are welcome to contact the parish priest responsible for your area, the chancellery of the diocese or read more information on the following page: CONVERSION.
INFO: Communion fellowship exists with the following churches: Ethiopian Orthodox Church,
Coptic Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church and Indian Orthodox Church.
Have you already been baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church, but left and now want to rejoin the church? The doors are open.
However, members of the Armenian Church in Germany should distinguish between official and church entry and exit. Since the Catholic and Evangelical Churches in Germany are recognized as corporations under public law and pay church taxes, official withdrawal from the church does not always automatically lead to excommunication.
When we talk about leaving the Armenian Apostolic Church, we mean excommunication. Thus, those who have left are deprived of all the rights that church members are entitled to. He is not allowed to take part in the religious life of the church. According to Canon Law, people who received Haghordutyun (Communion) less than once a year automatically left the Church.
Resumption of full church fellowship is possible through the mystery of Khostovanutyun (confession, penance) and Haghordutyun (receiving the Eucharist, communion).
TIP: Are you looking for detailed information on re-entry and contact persons who can help you with your request? You are welcome to contact the parish priest responsible for your area, the chancellery of the diocese or read more information on the following page: REENTRY.
Are you a baptized Armenian Christian living in Germany? Then you should apply for diocesan membership in your local Armenian parish and support the church with your contribution.
According to the statutes of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Germany, every Armenian who has been baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church, professes its teaching and rites and has reached the age of 18 should apply for membership in the Armenian congregation responsible for his or her area of residence .
As a member of the diocese, you help us with your donations to finance the tasks and services of our church in Germany. You help the Armenian congregations to finance places of worship as well as premises for congregational work (e.g. rent, additional costs, repairs, maintenance, etc.). They make it possible for Armenian art and culture to be preserved and cared for, for our tradition to be passed on to young people and for them to take their lives into their own hands, for old people not to be alone, for people in difficult situations, both in Germany and in Armenia , is helped. With your contribution you promote faith, education, culture and social welfare.
TIP: Detailed information on membership in the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Germany is available here: MEMBERSHIP.
