THE RELATIONSHIPS OF SECULAR AND SPIRITUAL POWERS IN THE ARMENIAN KINGDOM OF CILICIA 1240’s-50’s
Hethum I (1226–1269), the King of the Cilician Armenian Kingdom is rightly considered to be unique and original among the Armenian kings. His activities were towards strengthening the Armenian statehood and spiritual power. Having been crowned at a very early age he dedicated his conscious life to the strengthening of the state and church. The change of dynasty in Cilician Armenia generally was a huge historical event.
The Ecclesiastical Assembly of Sis was held in 1243. The convocation of this assembly has a peculiar role in the histories of both Armenian Church and Armenian jurisprudence In 1246, when the delegate of the Catholicos of All Armenians Constantine Bardzraberdzi (1221‒1267) left for Great Armenia, the Pope of Rome addressed Hethum I with a special letter. Assuredly, under the existing situation, the solution of the religious problem, which was more of a political essence, should have been implemented more profoundly and providently. The result was a response letter with a truly diplomatic answer: «The Spirit emanates from God, is seen through his Son». With this answer the Armenian elite evidently declined Pope’s proffer, at the same time not opposing the latter roughly.
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