The article examines the historiographical representation of the Paulicians and Tondrakians in 18th to 20th-century Armenian scholarship. This period marked the inception of studies on the subject and solidified key narratives that remain debated today. By examining key works from this period, the research uncovers how historiographical perceptions of the Paulicians and Tondrakians swung between viewing them as dangerous heretics or sectarians and as pioneers of reformist ideas.
Studies from this period approached the issue primarily from a religious and theological perspective, thus commonly employing the terms “sectarian” and “sect.” Armenian Evangelical historians, however, adopted the term “movement” to frame the Paulicians and Tondrakians as reformers, thereby highlighting the roots of evangelicalism in Armenia.
The article argues that the debates surrounding the Paulicians and Tondrakians are deeply intertwined with questions of national and religious identity. Consequently, the contrasting perspectives reflect efforts to understand and reevaluate the place of Armenians in the world.