Dissertation committee:
Ιωάννης Παναγιωτόπουλος Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Τμήμα Θεολογίας Θεολογική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Δημήτριος Μόσχος Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Τμήμα Θεολογίας Θεολογική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Γεώργιος Σταυρόπουλος-Γιουσπάσογλου Λέκτορας Τμήμα Θεολογίας Θεολογική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Μαρίνα Κολοβοπούλου Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια Τμήμα Θεολογίας Θεολογική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Ευαγγελία Αμοιρίδου Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια Τμήμα Θεολογίας Θεολογική Σχολή ΑΠΘ
Ιωάννης Μπάκας Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Τμήμα Θεολογίας και Χριστιανικού Πολιτισμού Θεολογική Σχολή ΑΠΘ
Κωνσταντίνος Χρήστου Καθηγητής Τμήμα Θεολογίας και Χριστιανικού Πολιτισμού Θεολογική Σχολή ΑΠΘ
Summary:
This doctoral thesis aims to promote the Armeno-Byzantine ecclesiastical contacts and references through the political developments of the period of the 10th-11th centuries. During this period, although Armenia was divided into kingdoms - first the state of the Bagratids (885-1045) with the famous Ani as its capital, as well the Vaspurakan kingdom of the Artsrunids (908-1021), and then, in smaller feudal states, nevertheless the country experienced a period of relative peace, prosperity, economic and cultural flourishing. From the second half of the 10th century, the Empire pursued a definitive conquest and integration of the Armenian states. Thus, in 968, 1001, and 1021, the Taron principality, the Armeno-Georgian kingdom of Tayk, and the kingdom of Vaspurakan were incorporated into Empire, respectively. Then, in 1045, despite the efforts of the Armenians, the Byzantine army occupied Ani, and the state of the Bagratids ceased to exist. The contacts of the leaders of the Armenian Church with the Church of Constantinople were initially called upon to serve the needs of the Bagratids for recognition and strengthening of their dynasty by the Byzantine Empire. Since the second half of the 10th century, however, the attitude of the Armenian hierarchy towards Orthodoxy has hardened. This policy can be explained by the spread of the Orthodox communities in Armenia, parallel with the spread and approval of authority of the emperor in Armenian territories. At the same time, a pro-Orthodox faction formed within the same Armenian Apostolic Church, which ultimately failed. In an electrifying atmosphere of mutual persecutions and accusations on both sides, a rich Byzantine-Armenian theological- polemic literature developed. This literature's careful and impartial examination is called upon to contribute to the theological dialogue that is now officially and successfully conducted between the Orthodox and the pre-Chalcedonian Christians.
Keywords:
Armenia, Byzantine Empire, Armenian Apostolic Church, Orthodoxy
