AN EPISODE FROM THE HISTORY OF THE ARMENIAN STATE AND CHURCH RELATIONS IN CILICIA (1175-1187)
This study thoroughly discusses the relations between the State and the Church during the period of the ruler of Cilicia, Ruben III (1175-1187). The research highlights Armenian-Byzantine ecclesiastical relations, focusing on the recent efforts made by Byzantium in unifying the churches, as well as the circumstances of the famous Hromkla (modern Rumkale) Church Council. Different views on the date of convening the assembly are examined, as well as the established decisions. The article introduces the Armenian-Catholic church-political relations and procedure, and presents the demands of the Roman Catholic Church to the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. It focuses on the details of the cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Armenian state of Cilicia on these important issues. In the framework of this study, the issues around the Armenian Churches in the Armenian Community of Egypt are presented. Are given details about the joint efforts of the Armenian Government and the Church of Cilicia in the process of preserving the Churches. In the article we have presented the circumstances of how the Ayyubid Sultan Salah ad-Din had tried to take the Armenian Churches of Egypt from the Armenians and give them to the Copts, but as a result of the joint efforts and discussions of the Armenian leadership and the Catholicosate of Rumkale, it was possible to return them to their rightful owner.
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