The Different Dogmatic Faces Of Old Oriental Orthodox:-The Ecclesiastical Relations Between The Armenian Apostolic And The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches And Some Of Their Doctrinal Characteristics

The Armenian Apostolic and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church are two of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.They are considered "sister churches",however,being completely independent Churches,they have differences related to Church structure,hierarchy,liturgy,Bible,and a number of other differences that determine their national character.The following paper focuses on a number of areas;in particular,what are the Armenian and Ethiopian Churches,a brief introduction of the establishment of Christianity in Armenian and Ethiopia,the relation between church and state,the formation and development of the ecclesiastical relations between Armenian and Ethiopian Churches,the comparison in hierarchical order,Bible books,Christology and seven sacraments.The study is done using a comparative analytic method where in the end,the analysis of the most pertinent collected evidence,and conclusions in a meaningful narrative of this topic were drawn.The Armenian Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox Church belong to the "Old Oriental Orthodox Churches".The term Old Oriental Orthodox refers to the Churches of Eastern Christian traditions that includes six Churches:Syriac Orthodox,Coptic Orthodox,Ethiopian Orthodox,Eritrean Orthodox,Malankara Orthodox Syrian(India)and Armenian Apostolic Churches.They keep the faith of only the first three Ecumenical Councils of the Orthodox Church(the councils of Nicea I,Constantinople I and Ephesus)and rejected the dogmatic definitions of the Council of Chalcedon(A.D.451).Even though the Armenian Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox Church belong to the group of Old Oriental Orthodox,but they are hierarchically independent,have features inherent in their territory,and a unique way of their development.Old Oriental Orthodox Churches have been accused of monophysitism for many years and they were separated from Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.I can say,that they had became some kind of "mystic" branch of Christianity that was hidden from the Christian world and only the believers of these Churches have known what Church they belong to.Thus,this paper will give a detailed look at a comparative analysis of some issues of the Armenian Apostolic and Ethiopian Tewahedo Church,such as their formation,church relations with state,and Armenian-Ethiopian ecclesiastical relations.The paper also discusses the Christology of the Armenian and Ethiopian Churches.Moreover,the basis of faith and worship of Christian Churches is the realization of the seven sacraments and without the seven sacraments,a person can’t be considered Christian.So it is requisite to analyze the status of these two Churches in relation to the seven sacraments.This will allow us to comprehend the differences and similarities of these Oriental Orthodox Churches in this sphere.