Giashotz

Armenian liturgy

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The Giashotz is a liturgical book used in the Armenian rite, containing the Epistle and Gospel readings for each day. The Armenian rite is the system of liturgical practices observed by both the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Catholic Church. Armenia, considered the "first Christian nation," was converted to Christianity by St. Gregory the Illuminator around 300 AD. The Liturgy of St. Gregory the Illuminator is patterned after the Antiochene Liturgy of St. James and the Byzantine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Armenian churches typically do not have icons and use a curtain instead of an iconostasis.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Armenian rite
…used by the priest; the Giashotz, the book of midday, containing the Epistle and Gospel readings for each day; and the Z’amagirq, the book of hours, containing the prayers and psalms of the seven daily offices, primarily matins, prime, and vespers.
Read More
…used by the priest; the Giashotz, the book of midday, containing the Epistle and Gospel readings for each day; and the Z’amagirq, the book of hours, containing the prayers and psalms of the seven daily offices, primarily matins, prime, and vespers.
Read More