What is "vardapet"

n. (context ecclesiastical English) A highly-educated archimandrite in the Armenian Apostolic Church tradition who holds a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctorate%20in%20Theology.

A vardapet or vartabed is a highly educated archimandrite in the Armenian Apostolic Church tradition who holds a Doctorate in Theology.

In the English-speaking world, one of the best known of the doctor-monks of Armenia is Mekhitar of Sebaste, founder of an Armenian Catholic community of monks, the Mechitarists.

Tsayraguyn vardapet , on the other hand, is the rank of supreme doctor of Christian dogma in the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is bestowed upon a vardapet, a pastor, who has shown outstanding educational and leadership qualities.