Armenian Apostolic Church Structure and Clerical Authority Examined
The ironic relationship of a priest and his community
An analysis of the Armenian Apostolic Church's hierarchical structure explores the concentration of power among elected clergy leaders and their relationship with congregants. The article outlines how the church operates through democratic processes—including the election of bishops and Catholicoi by representative assemblies—while maintaining significant authority in the hands of celibate clergy between elections. The Catholicos serves for life, with rare provisions for resignation or retirement. The piece examines tensions between the church's progressive democratic foundation and its hierarchical power structure, noting that conflict is typically addressed privately. The author reflects on the changing nature of priest-parish relationships in Armenian-American communities, observing that traditional respect for clergy persists alongside evolving congregational expectations and diversity.
