Barmenian Apostolic Church

The Barmenian Catholic Church (Barmenian: Brmék Kàtickaé Kjosh) is one of the four autocephalous, or ecclesiastically independent, Eastern Rite churches which make up the Catholic Communion. It was established in Arakhim during the 10th century as part of the Hobrazian Orthodox Church but along with the Al’Badaran Catholic Church became independent in the late 11th century. From 955 until the Islamic conquest of Arakhim in 1495 it was the state church there.

Supreme authority is vested in the bishop of Kathura, who holds metropolitical status. The recorded membership at the end of 2355 was 7,661,268 or 7.81% of Barmenistan’s population.

Graduates from church-run seminaries may be ordained as deacons and eventually priests. They are allowed to marry before their ordination as deacons, but not afterwards. Alternatively they may enter monasteries and/or take monastic vows. If they possess a university degree in theology they become eligible as candidates to the episcopate.