Vardapet
A vardapet or vartabed (Armenian: վարդապետ, Armenian pronunciation: [vɑɾtʰɑˈpɛt]) is a highly educated archimandrite in the Armenian Apostolic Church tradition who holds a Doctorate in Theology. Members of this order of ecclesiastics frequently have charge of dioceses, with episcopal functions.
In the English-speaking world, the best-known of the doctor-monks of Armenia is Mekhitar of Sebaste, founder of an Armenian Catholic community of monks, the Mechitarists.
Tsayraguyn vardapet (Armenian: ծայրագույն վարդապետ) on the other hand is the rank of supreme doctor of Christian dogma in the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is bestowed upon a vardapet, a pastor, who has shown outstanding educational and leadership qualities.
References
- Pope John Paul II, Address of John Paul II to the Mechitarist Order on the third centenary of their founding. 3 July 2001. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
See also
- Gregory the Illuminator, Apostle of Armenia
- Mesrop Mashtots
- Komitas Vardapet
- Oriental Orthodoxy
- Christian monasticism
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