What was Armenia called in biblical times?
Hayk
Ancient Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world with a recorded history of about 3500 years. The original Armenian name for the country is Hayk, which was later called Hayastan (land of Hayk).
What was Armenia before Christianity?
Zoroastrianism in Armenia dates back to the 5th century B.C. during the Achaemenian and Parthian periods and was divided between Persia and the Roman Empire. Until Armenia’s conversion to Christianity, it was predominantly Zoroastrian.
Which apostle was from Armenia?
Saint Bartholomew the Apostle
Bartholomew the Apostle
| Saint Bartholomew the Apostle | |
|---|---|
| Major shrine | Saint Bartholomew Monastery in historical Armenia, Relics at Basilica of San Bartolomeo in Benevento, Italy, Saint Bartholomew-on-the-Tiber Church, Rome, Canterbury Cathedral, the Cathedrals in Frankfurt and Plzeň, and San Bartolomeo Cathedral in Lipari |
How did Armenia convert to Christianity?
According to tradition, Armenia was evangelized by the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus. Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity about 300 ce, when St. Gregory the Illuminator converted the Arsacid king Tiridates III.
Who are the Armenians descended from?
The Armenians are the descendants of a branch of the Indo-Europeans. The ancient Greek historians Herodotus and Eudoxus of Rhodes related the Armenians to the Phrygians—who entered Asia Minor from Thrace—and to the peoples of the ancient kingdom upon whom the Phrygians imposed their rule and language.
Where is Armenia located in the Bible?
Armenia is located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, in the southern Transcaucasia. It is known as the “Island of Mountains” and once included Mount Ararat which biblical tradition identifies as the mountain that Noah’s ark rested on after the flood.
What gods do the Armenians worship?
Armenian Mythology
| Armenian | Iranian | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| Aramazd | Ahuramazda | Zeus |
| Anahit | Nahit | Artemis |
| Vahagn | Verethragna | Heracles |
| Astghik | — | Aphrodite |
Why did Armenia first adopt Christianity?
Armenia is considered the first nation to have adopted Christianity as the state religion, a fact of which Armenians are justifiably proud. The Armenian claim rests on the history of Agathangelos, who states that in 301 A.D., King Trdat III (Tiridates) was baptized and officially Christianized his people.
Was Armenia part of Roman Empire?
From 114 to 118, Armenia briefly became a province of the Roman Empire under Emperor Trajan. The Kingdom of Armenia often served as a client state or vassal at the frontier of the two large empires and their successors, the Byzantine and Sassanid empires.
Why did Armenia adopt Christianity?
The Kingdom of Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion under the rule of King Tiridates III of the Arsacid dynasty in the early 4th century. According to tradition, the church originated in the missions of Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus of Edessa in the 1st century.
Who were the Syrians in the Bible?
Syrians can trace their Biblical heritage back to a man named Aram. He was a descendant of Shem, Noah’s son. Also known as Arameans, the plight of the Syrian people can be read about throughout both the Old and New Testament. Syria is one of the oldest Biblical lands that still exists in present day.
What is Syria/Aram in the Bible?
Some translations of the Bible use the word Syria, and others use the word Aram, but both names refer to the same nation. The borders of Syria or Aram are much the same as they were in biblical times, with a central location being its capital, Damascus. Syria/Aram plays a significant role throughout the Bible.
Where is Syria mentioned in the New Testament?
In the New Testament, Syria is a Roman province. It is referenced in Luke 2, at the time of the census prior to Jesus’ birth. It is also referenced as Jesus begins his ministry:
What cities are mentioned in the Bible in Syria?
There are several recognizable towns and cities of Syria throughout the Bible. Many were very important to the Early Church in the New Testament, namely, Antioch and Damascus. Smith’s Bible Dictionary lists the cities of Syria, in order of importance in the Bible: