Armenianchurch.org
The Law of the Republic of Armenia Regarding the Relationship Between The
Republic of Armenia and the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services May 5, 2007 4:07 AM
Unofficial English transation
Article I – Object of the Regulation of the Law
This law regulates the special relationship between the Republic of Armenia
and the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church.
Article II – Holy Apostolic Armenian Church
1. The Republic of Armenia recognizes the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church as
the national church, with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin as its
headquarters and its hierarchal sees of the Catholicosate of the Great House
of Cilicia and the Armenian Patriarchates of Holy Jerusalem and
Constantinople; and the exceptional mission of the Holy Apostolic Armenian
Church in the spiritual life of the Armenian people, their national cultural
development and preservation of their national identity.
2. The Republic of Armenia recognizes the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church as
autocephalous (self-governing) within its hierarchal scope.
Article III – Catholicos of All Armenians
The President of the Republic of Armenia shall grant citizenship of the
Republic of Armenia to the Catholicos of All Armenians – the elected head of
the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church – if he is not a citizen of the Republic
of Armenia.
Article IV – Legislation Regulating the Relationship between the Republic of
Armenia and the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church
The regulating principles of the relationship between the Republic of
Armenia and the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church are delineated by the
Constitution of the Republic of Armenia; its general relationship as
delineated by the RA law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious
Organizations" and other laws and international agreements; and its special
relationship – as a relationship between the state and national church
recognized by the state – as delineated by this law.
Article V – Inheritance of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church
1. The Holy Apostolic Armenian Church’s historical, spiritual, cultural and
documental inheritance is an important and indivisible part of the
foundation of the national identity.
2. That portion of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church’s historical,
spiritual, cultural and documental treasures which are the property of the
state may be sold, disposed of or transported from its location of
safekeeping only by previously informing the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church.
The list of these treasures is delineated by the government of the Republic
of Armenia, in consultation with the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church.
Article VI – Structures of Worship of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church
The Holy Apostolic Armenian Church has the right to construct monasteries,
churches and other buildings of worship; and to rehabilitate monasteries and
churches that have the status of historical monuments. The preservation of
the churches and other buildings of worship that have the status of
historical monuments is the joint responsibility of the Holy Apostolic
Armenian Church and the Republic of Armenia.
Article VII – Cultural Institutions belonging to the Holy Apostolic Armenian
Church
The government of the Republic of Armenia shall delineate the amount and
purpose of state assistance for the protection and enrichment of cultural
institutions, collections, museums, libraries and archives which are the
property of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church and constitute a part of the
national cultural inheritance, in the proposed annual state budget, having
previously discussed it with the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church.
Article VIII – Role of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church in the Educational
Sphere
1. The Holy Apostolic Armenian Church has the right to:
a) Establish or sponsor kindergarten (pre-school) institutions, elementary,
secondary and high schools, specialty colleges and institutions of higher
learning, within the framework of the legislation of the Republic of
Armenia.
b) Participate in the preparation of the scholastic curriculum and textbooks
for "Armenian Church History" courses within state educational institutions,
the defining of minimum requirements of instructors of said subject, and to
present prospective instructors to the schools.
c) To organize voluntary scholastic courses within state educational
institutions, utilizing their buildings and resources, coordinating the
issues regarding the realization of courses with said institutions.
d) Contribute to the spiritual education of society within educational
institutions according to the scope of the law.
2. Scholastic institutions established by the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church
shall receive the same assistance that the state provides to other private
institutions.
3. The state guarantees the implementation of the right to a religious
education on a voluntary basis.
4. The official communications of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church shall
be reported by mass media outlets without alteration.
Article IX – Registration of Marriages by the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church
The Republic of Armenia recognizes marriages performed according to the
canonical rites of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church and dissolutions of
marriage by the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church in accordance with the
stipulations of an agreement signed by the Republic of Armenia and the Holy
Apostolic Armenian Church.
Article X – Benevolent Pastoral Activity of the Holy Apostolic Armenian
Church
The Holy Apostolic Armenian Church has the right to have its permanent
spiritual representative in hospitals, orphanages, boarding schools,
military bases and penal institutions, including investigative isolation
cells.
Article XI – Income of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church Exempt from
Taxation
1. The Holy Apostolic Armenian Church has the right to organize public
fundraising efforts and to receive donations and gifts, which are exempt
from taxation.
2. Also exempt from taxation are the production and sale of objects and
accessories of a liturgical nature.
Article XII – Relationship between the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church and
Law Enforcement Agencies
The Republic of Armenia recognizes the secrecy of ecclesiastical confession.
A priest of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church shall not be called as a
witness to be questioned regarding those circumstances of a case which have
been made known to him during confession.
Article XIII – Activities of the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church in Other
Countries
The Holy Apostolic Armenian Church, as a national church which operates in
other countries as well, is under the protection of the Republic of Armenia
in accordance with international legal standards.
Article XIV – Effective Date of the Law
The law shall take effect on the tenth day following its proclamation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
