The traditions of the Armenian divine services were formed in Armenia in the fourth-fifth centuries, mainly on the basis of the Syrian and Greek liturgical traditions. The use of a proper specifically Armenian service was facilitated by the rapid transition to the local language - soon with the appearance of the Armenian alphabet, in the fifth century. During its formative period the Armenian service underwent influence from the practice of the Jerusalem Church, and in the middle ages a number of influences from the Latin Church.

The Armenian churches were characterized by a number of specific features. The throne is situated on a high solium. Behind the throne, in the back, there is a little niche in the wall where the proscomedia is performed. There are two altar curtains which divide the throne off from the rest of the church. The first is closed during various times during the service, the second while the presiding priest takes communion.

In the Armenian rite certain percussion instruments are use, and singing can be accompanied by the organ. The vestments and the distinctive features of the different members of the clergy are in many respects similar to the Byzantine, but they have a series of features of their own. The language of the service is the Old Armenian language (Grabar).

There is only one Armenian Liturgy - the Liturgy of St. Athanasius (sometimes also refereed to as the Liturgy of St. Gregory the Enlightener), close to the Byzantine liturgies, but distinctive. The liturgy uses unleavened bread and the faithful partake of both species at communion. Besides the liturgy, there are divine services throughout the day - the nighttime liturgy, matins, and the canonical hours.

Although at first the service of the Armenian Catholic Church underwent a serious process of latinization, already during the nineteenth century it was purified of many of these Latin elements and nowadays differences between the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church are almost nonexistent.

Translated from Russian by Prof. Joseph Lake, OPL

Prepared with the help of the Russian Catholic Encyclopedia
The photo, used here, is taken from Spasi Hospodi: Eastern Catholic Hymns web-site