Marcos Hovhannisyan
Bishop of the Ukrainian Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) is an ancient Church and an integral part of the One Holy Universal Apostolic Church of Christ. The origins of the Armenian Church date back to the apostolic era. As early as the second half of the first century, Christianity was preached in Armenia by the Apostles of Jesus Christ, Saint Thaddeus and Saint Bartholomew. In 301, Christianity became the state religion of Armenia, making Armenia the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official faith. Armenians began settling in the lands of present-day Ukraine long before the emer gence of the Kyivan state, although large-scale migration to Rus’, particularly to its western regions, took place from the twelfth century onward. During the Soviet peri od, the activities of Armenian parishes in Ukraine faced significant restrictions. How ever, in 1991, by decree of Vazgen I, Catholicos of All Armenians, the Ukrainian Dio cese of the Armenian Apostolic Church was officially established. Today, the Diocese comprises 27 parishes, providing spiritual care and support to approximately 400,000 faithful throughout Ukraine.
Contacts
UDAAC, 7 Virmenska Street Lviv 79008, Ukraine
Phone: +38 095 893 99 64
E-mail: markoseps9@gmail.com