The Armenian Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia ( hy, Կաթողիկոսութիւն Հայոց Մեծի Տանն Կիլիկիոյ) is an

autocephalous Autocephaly (; from el, αὐτοκεφαλία, meaning "property of being self-headed") is the status of a hierarchical Christian church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop. The term is primarily used in Eastern O ...

Oriental Orthodox church. Since 1930, the

Catholicosate A catholicosate or catholicate is a particular ecclesiastical primacy, headed by a primate titled as a catholicos. Such regional primacies exist within various branches of Eastern Christianity, especially those of Oriental Orthodox tradition. The ...

of the Great House of Cilicia has been headquartered in Antelias,

Lebanon Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus li ...

Aram I Aram I ( hy, Արամ Ա. Քեշիշեան; born Bedros Keshishian 8 March 1947), has been the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia since 1995 and he resides in Antelias, Lebanon. Bibliography Aram I has written the followin ...

is the Catholicos of

Cilicia Cilicia (); el, Κιλικία, ''Kilikía''; Middle Persian: ''klkyʾy'' (''Klikiyā''); Parthian: ''kylkyʾ'' (''Kilikiyā''); tr, Kilikya). is a geographical region in southern Anatolia in Turkey, extending inland from the northeastern coa ...

since 1995.

Great House of Cilicia eras

*First Sis era, 267-301: According to the order of Catholicoi, * St. Gregory I the Enlightener (also known as Gregory the Illuminator) was seated in Sis 267-301 before moving to

Etchmiadzin Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is comm ...

in 301 where he continued in office until 325. *In 485 AD, the Catholicosate was transferred to the new capital of Armenia Dvin. In the 10th century it moved from Dvin to

Dzoravank Dzoravank ( hy, Ձորավանք; az, Qaraqaya) is a village in the Chambarak Municipality of the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. The village was populated by Azerbaijanis before the exodus of Azerbaijanis from Armenia after the outbreak of ...

and then to

Aghtamar Akdamar Island ( tr, Akdamar Adası, ku, Girava Axtamarê), also known as Aghtamar ( hy, Աղթամար, translit=Aġt’amar) or Akhtamar ( hy, Ախթամար, translit=Axt’amar), is the second largest of the four islands in Lake Van, in east ...

(927 AD), to Arghina (947 AD) and to

Ani Ani ( hy, Անի; grc-gre, Ἄνιον, ''Ánion''; la, Abnicum; tr, Ani) is a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey's province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia. Between 961 and 1045, it was the capital of the ...

(992 AD) *Sivas era, 1058–1062 *Tavbloor era, 1062–1066 *Dzamendav (Zamidia, now Zamantı) era, 1066–1116 *Dzovk (Present aka Island of Gölcük and under the lake of Hazar), era, 1116–1149 *Hromgla (now Halfeti) era, 1149–1293 *Second Sis era, 1293-1930 (with the Catholicosate of All Armenians returned to

in 1441) *Antelias, Lebanon era, since 1930 - having transferred there from Sis in

in the aftermath of the

Armenian genocide The Armenian genocide was the systematic destruction of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, Armenian people and identity in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Spearheaded by the ruling Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), it was ...

Early history of the Armenian Church

The origin of the Armenian Church dates back to the Apostolic age and according to the ancient tradition was established by

St. Thaddeus Jude ( grc-gre, Ἰούδας Ἰακώβου translit. Ioúdas Iakóbou) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. He is generally identified as Thaddeus ( grc-gre, Θαδδαῖος; cop, ⲑⲁⲇⲇⲉⲟⲥ; ...

and

St. Bartholomew Bartholomew (Aramaic: ; grc, Βαρθολομαῖος, translit=Bartholomaîos; la, Bartholomaeus; arm, Բարթողիմէոս; cop, ⲃⲁⲣⲑⲟⲗⲟⲙⲉⲟⲥ; he, בר-תולמי, translit=bar-Tôlmay; ar, بَرثُولَماو� ...

. In 301 AD, Christianity was officially accepted by the Armenians as the state religion.

Early era of the Catholicosate in Cilicia (1058–1293)

Two Catholicosates starting in 1441 AD

In 1441, a new Catholicos of All Armenians was elected in Holy Etchmiadzin in the person of Kirakos I Virapetsi of Armenia. At the same time the retiring Catholicos in Sis Gregory IX Mousabegian (1439–1446) remained as the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. Therefore, since 1441, there have been two Catholicosates in the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Catholicos of All Armenians resides in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Catholicosate in Sis (1293–1930)

The city of Sis (modern-day

Kozan, Adana Kozan (Turkish name), formerly Sis ( hy, Սիս), is a city in Adana Province, Turkey, northeast of Adana, in the northern section of the Çukurova plain. The city is the capital of the ilçe (district) of Kozan. The Kilgen River, a tributary of ...

, Turkey) was the center of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia for more than six centuries, starting in 1293 when the Catholicosate moved from

Hromgla Rumkale ( ''Roman Castle''), also known as Urumgala, is a fortress on the Euphrates, located in the province of Gaziantep and 50 km west of Şanlıurfa. Its strategic location was already known to the Assyrians, although the present struct ...

to Sis. The monastery of St. Sophia of Sis, home of the Catholicosate, dominates the town in early 20th-century photographs. During the

, in 1915, the Armenian population in Cilicia was mostly destroyed.

Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon (1930–present)

In 1922 the

American Committee for Relief in the Near East The Near East Foundation (NEF), founded in 1915 as the American Committee on Armenian Atrocities, later the American Committee for Relief in the Near East (ACRNE), and after that Near East Relief, is a Syracuse, New York-based American internation ...

established an orphanage in Antilias for survivors of the genocide. It continued operating until 1928. After the foundation's Executive Committee was petitioned in 1929 by Sahak II, in 1930 the now-vacant buildings of the orphanage were leased to the Cilicia Catholicosate for a period of five years to be used as a seat for the Catholicosate and a seminary for training priests and teachers. The foundation also agreed to contribute $6000-$7000 yearly towards running costs.Anon, "The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia", Boston 1948.

Publications

''Hask''

The Catholicossate has its own publishing house and has a number of publications, most notably the monthly "Hask" (in

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...

Հասկ), the official organ of the Holy See of Cilicia.

Others

The Catholicosate also publishes a great number of books in Armenian and other languages, mainly on church literature as well as Armenian historical, cultural and literary subjects and series/collections of important Armenian literature. The Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia also organizes an annual book fair on the occasion of Feast of the Holy Translators (known also as Surb Tarkmantchats), an official holiday on the calendar of the

Armenian Apostolic Church , native_name_lang = hy , icon = Armenian Apostolic Church logo.svg , icon_width = 100px , icon_alt = , image = Էջմիածնի_Մայր_Տաճար.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , a ...

to commemorate the legacy of the translators of the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...

and other Christian religious books to

Armenian language Armenian ( classical: , reformed: , , ) is an Indo-European language and an independent branch of that family of languages. It is the official language of Armenia. Historically spoken in the Armenian Highlands, today Armenian is widely spoken t ...

in the 5th century.

''Hask Armenological Review''

It also publishes the annual "Hask Armenological Review" (in

Հասկ Հայագիտական Հանդէս) on

Armenian studies Armenian studies or Armenology ( hy, հայագիտություն, ) is a field of humanities covering Armenian history, language and culture. The emergence of modern Armenian studies is associated with the foundation of the Catholic Mechitarist ...

Prelacies and Dioceses, and Churches

(in parenthesis, the residence of the Prelate / Archbishop / Bishop) *Canada ** Armenian Prelacy of Canada *United States of America ** Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern United States ** Armenian Prelacy of the Western United States *Ontario **

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, Toronto Established in 1983, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church is at church in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the district of North York. It belongs to the Holy See of Cilicia The Armenian Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia ( hy, Կաթող� ...

, Ontario *Lebanon ** Armenian Diocese of Lebanon, in

Beirut Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint o ...

*Syria ** Armenian Diocese of Beroea, in

Aleppo )), is an adjective which means "white-colored mixed with black". , motto = , image_map = , mapsize = , map_caption = , image_map1 = ...

*Cyprus **

Armenian Diocese of Cyprus Armenian Diocese of Cyprus ( hy, Կիպրոսի հայոց Թեմ ''Kiprosi Hayots Tem''), is one of the oldest dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church outside the historic Armenian territories, covering the Republic of Cyprus. It has been found ...

, in

Nicosia Nicosia ( ; el, Λευκωσία, Lefkosía ; tr, Lefkoşa ; hy, Նիկոսիա, romanized: ''Nikosia''; Cypriot Arabic: Nikusiya) is the largest city, capital, and seat of government of Cyprus. It is located near the centre of the Mesaor ...

***Nicosia ****

Sourp Asdvadzadzin Holy Mother of God Cathedral ( hy, Սուրբ Աստուածածին Մայր Եկեղեցի), or Surp Asdvadzadzin Church, is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral of the Armenian Diocese of Cyprus, located in the Strovolos district in Nicosia, Cyp ...

church (1981). **** Old Sourp Asdvadzadzin church (1308), as of 1964 under Turkish occupation. **** Sourp Boghos chapel (1892). ****

Sourp Haroutiun Sourp Haroutiun ( hy, Սուրբ Յարութիւն) is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia, Cyprus. The chapel is located in the second Armenian cemetery to the west of Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia and was built in 1938 by ri ...

chapel (1938). **** Sourp Amenapergitch chapel (1995). **Famagusta ** Ganchvor church (1346), as of 1964 under Turkish occupation. **Larnaca **

Sourp Stepanos Sourp Stepanos Church ( hy, Սուրբ Ստեփանոս Եկեղեցի; Saint Stephen) is the Armenian Apostolic church in Larnaca, Cyprus. The church is located in the town centre of Larnaca and was originally built in 1909 as a small chapel in ...

church (1909). **Limassol ** Sourp Kevork church (1939). *Iran ** Armenian Diocese of Isfahan, in

New Julfa New Julfa ( fa, نو جلفا – ''Now Jolfā'', – ''Jolfâ-ye Now''; hy, Նոր Ջուղա – ''Nor Jugha'') is the Armenian quarter of Isfahan, Iran, located along the south bank of the Zayande River. Established and named after the old ...

** Armenian Diocese of Atrpatakan, in

Tabriz Tabriz ( fa, تبریز ; ) is a city in northwestern Iran, serving as the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. It is the List of largest cities of Iran, sixth-most-populous city in Iran. In the Quri Chay, Quru River valley in Iran's historic Aze ...

Gallery

Image:Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia - khatchkar.jpg, A

khatchkar A ''khachkar'', also known as a ''khatchkar'' or Armenian cross-stone ( hy, խաչքար, , խաչ xačʿ "cross" + քար kʿar "stone") is a carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes, in ...

on the premises File:Aram I Keshishian.jpg,

Image:Holy See of Cilicia.jpg, Partial view of the Catholicosate complex on the

Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the ea ...

in Antelias Image:Antelias - Armeni.jpg, ''Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral'' (1940) Image:Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia - Holy Mother of God Cathedral interior.jpg, Interior of the ''St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral'' Image:Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia - Genocide Memorial chapel.jpg, Memorial chapel to the

at the Catholicosate premises in Antelias Image:Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia - Catholicossate building.jpg, The ''Veharan'', the residence of the Catholicos in Antelias,

Image:Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Bikfaya.JPG, ''Holy Mother of God Church'' (Sourp Asdvadzadzin) at the seminary in

Bikfaya Bikfaya ( ar, بكفيا, also spelled Bickfaya, Beckfayya, or Bekfaya) is a town in the Matn District region of Mount Lebanon. Its stone houses with red-tiled roofs resting amidst pine and oak forests make Bikfaya one of the most sought-after su ...