Medieval and Manuscripts

Christianization of Armenia

Christianity first spread to Armenia prior to the official adoption of the faith in the Kingdom of Greater Armenia in the early fourth century, although the details are obscure. Greater Armenia was the first state (or one of the first states) to adopt Christianity as its state religion. The Arsacid king of Armenia at the time, Trdat, was converted by Gregory the Illuminator, who became the first head of the Armenian Church. The traditional date for the conversion of Armenia is 301, although alternative dates have been proposed by scholars ranging from 284 to no later than 325. While Armenia's church structure was established at this time, it took longer for Christianity to fully take root in the country. The greatest progress came after the invention of the Armenian alphabet by Mesrop Mashtots and the translation of the Bible and liturgy into Armenian in the fifth century. The Christianization of Armenia is regarded as one of the most important events in Armenian history, significantly shaping the people's identity, and turning Armenia away from its centuries-long links to the Iranian world. Additionally, the Armenian Church is considered to have provided a structure for the preservation of Armenian identity in the absence of Armenian political independence.

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See also

• ▸Codex Amiatinus
• ▸Greek War of Independence
• ▸Charles Barry

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