Armenian Rite
[3] Later, Gregory the Illuminator launched a program of evangelization in Armenia that included the conversion of the king, Tiridates III.
During the 4th century, there were debates regarding the level autonomy that the Armenians enjoyed, with Basil of Caesarea protesting these challenges.
Following the Bagratuni dynasty's collapse in 1045, fleeing Armenians established a new kingdom around Cilicia and Cappadocia.
[8] The Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Rite is referred to as the "Liturgy of our Blessed Father the holy Gregory the Illuminator, revised and augmented by the holy patriarchs and teachers Isaac, Mesrop, Kud, and John Mantakuni", though Donald Attwater described these ascriptions as "patriotic flourishes".
An early recension of the Basilian anaphora from the survives in the historical record in an Armenian text, where it is described as coming from Gregory the Illuminator.
The anaphora's attribution to Athanasius might explain why a 1314 Lyonese codex containing the Armenian Divine Liturgy is entitled the Missale Sancti Athanasii.
[11] A 10th-century text by Gregory of Narek, The Book of Lamentations, contains prayers that Armenian Christians believe can cure disease.
The process of producing myron begins 40 days prior to being blessed, starting as pure olive oil mixed with more than 40 flowers, herbs, and spices.
During the blessing rite, which can run four hours and draws pilgrims from around the world, portions of The Book of Lamentations are recited.
Both the primary altar stone (vemkar) and twelve wall crosses are blessed with myron once the church is consecrated.
[15] During liturgies, priests and bishops each wear an alb-like vestment known as a shapik or shapig and a pectoral stole (porurar) under a chasuble resembling a hoodless cope (shurtshar).
A amice known as a vakas (also varkas and vagas) forms a high collar and is worn over the cope alongside a goti girdle and hazpan (also pazpan) forearm maniples.
[18] More latterly, deacons and members of the minor orders began wearing capes embroidered with crosses in the place of the vakas, though this custom was against regulations.
The modern mitres worn by Armenian Apostolic bishops more approximate tall 18th-century Latin forms than the short, soft versions of 12th-century Armenia.
[20] Celibate clergy with the title of vardapet (also vartapet, meaning "doctor" or "teacher") may carry a staff similar to Aaron's rod with a T-shape and snake heads.
A black, pointed piece of headwear is worn with this cassock during recitation of the daily offices but not during eucharistic liturgies.
[22] During processions, an Armenian Apostolic hierarch follows clergy who carry the archiepiscopal cross, crozier, and vartapet's staff.
[27] Armenian churches are typified by a rectangular design with a central dome possessing a conical roof.
[28] The common interior elements of a church built for Armenian Rite worship are a vestibule, nave, chancel, and sanctuary.
