The Council of Manazkert (A.D. 726), Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian (softcover)

This year (2026) marks the 1300th anniversary of the Council of Manazkert. At the request of the Religious Council of the Eastern Prelacy, Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of Christian Education, prepared a brief pamphlet about the Council.  

In the early eighth century, a theological controversy arose between the Armenian and Syriac Orthodox Churches over Christological issues. In 726, a council convened in Manazkert (province of Turuberan, to the north of Lake Van) brought together 31 Armenian bishops, vartabeds, priests, and theologians, along with a delegation of six Syriac Orthodox bishops. The council was presided over by Hovhannes Otsnetsi, Catholicos of the Armenian Church from 717 to 728.  

The pamphlet outlines the theological context that led to the Council of Manazkert and highlights its achievement in clarifying and affirming the Church’s orthodox confession regarding the person of Jesus Christ.