The Mystical Dimension in Armenian Church Architecture

I am one of the many who, having abandoned its mainstream institutions, returned to Christianity after discovering its rich mystical heritage and current-day contemplative practices. For myself and countless other seekers, the journey back to our home religion was due in large measure to the influential work of people like Thomas Keating, Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault, James Finley, and Martin Laird. Highly respected and widely read, these contemplative Christian teachers and authors have served as guides on the path, but also gateways to the wisdom and divine insight of the great mystics, including Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross, to name a few of the most popular.

My initial forays into Christian mysticism revolved around these and other prominent figures from Catholic history. Their mass appeal today stems from the unique way each has captured the Christian imagination, with teachings that offer fresh insights into the dilemmas of modern life. Accordingly, the influence of these men and women has extended far beyond Catholicism, even on occasion finding favor with the “spiritual but not religious” crowd.

Gradually, as my studies broadened beyond individual mystics to encompass a wider swath of Christian history, I learned about how the Eastern Church has maintained a steadfast emphasis on the link between mysticism and theology. Given the Armenian Church’s place within the Orthodox family, I naturally began to wonder about the role of mysticism in my own tradition. As an Armenian on the contemplative path who is also deeply rooted in my cultural heritage, it seems inevitable that I would eventually be led to ask where I might find mystical elements in the history, theology, and practices of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Thus began my search for this dimension, which I am convinced is woven into the fabric of my spiritual identity despite the absence of a documented history of mysticism in the Armenian Church.

In this essay, which appears in Public Orthodoxy, I explore the way Armenian Churches embody mysticism in their design and construction, and how these buildings foster mystical experience in the worshipper.

Holy Mother of God Church, Noravank

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