Theologians continue to debate Monophysite Christology. According to tradition, Christianity was brought to Armenia by Thaddeus and Bartholomew, two of the original 12 apostles. Ecclesiastical authority in the Armenian Church was invested in the catholikos who originally resided at Vagharshabat in central Armenia. Holy Communion is customarily celebrated only on Sunday and on special occasions and cannot be celebrated twice in the same day. The Eucharist is administered to infants immediately after Baptism by touching the lips with the elements.
Baptism is by pouring water three times.
Auricular confession is not used. During the Eucharist the priest waves his hand over the elements to symbolize the operation of the Holy Spirit. The action is also used in ordination ceremonies. At one time the church in Egypt, the Coptic Church, was among the largest, with its own traditions. Its members take pride in the fact that Egypt was the childhood home of Jesus and the location of the ministry of St. Mark, who traditionally is credited with Egypt's evangelization.