Armenian Christianity in the Modern Republic of Armenia

The Republic of Armenia recognizes the historical importance of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Article 18 of Armenia's Constitution acknowledges its exceptional mission in the spiritual life of the Armenian people, the development of national culture, and the preservation of national identity.

This recognition does not make every Armenian citizen a member of the Church or eliminate constitutional protections for freedom of religion.

Armenia contains other religious communities, including Armenian Catholics, Protestants, Yazidis, and additional groups.

The Armenian Apostolic Church Today

The Armenian Apostolic Church maintains religious communities in Armenia and throughout the diaspora.

Its institutions include the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, and the Armenian Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Constantinople.

These institutions have distinct historical and administrative responsibilities.

The Diaspora

Armenian churches serve communities throughout the world.

In many places, they operate alongside Armenian schools, cultural associations, charitable organizations, and community institutions.

Religious services, holidays, baptisms, weddings, funerals, and commemorations provide continuity across generations.

Christianity and National Identity

Christianity has become closely associated with Armenian cultural identity, but the relationship between religion and nationality is not absolute.

Armenians may be Apostolic, Catholic, Protestant, members of other religions, or nonreligious.

Armenian national identity also includes language, ancestry, cultural practices, historical memory, and shared institutions.

A complete historical account must recognize both the central role of Christianity and the diversity of Armenian experience.