In Armenia, Christianity is more than a religion — it is the foundation of national identity. Today, an estimated 98% of the population identify as Christians, and over 90% of Armenians belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the world’s oldest Christian denominations. A further 7% are followers of the Armenian Catholic Church, while smaller groups include Orthodox Christians and approximately 15,000 Russian Molokans, a sect of spiritual Christianity. Among non-Christian minorities, the most prominent are the Yazidi Kurds.
The Armenian Apostolic Church traces its roots back to the 1st century AD, and Armenia holds the distinction of being the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as its official state religion — in 301 AD. This momentous decision sparked a profound cultural transformation, leaving behind a unique legacy of spiritual art, literature, and education.
For centuries, Armenia’s monasteries became the heart of cultural and intellectual life, nurturing science, theology, and the arts. In times of foreign rule and lost sovereignty, it was the Armenian Church that held the nation together — acting as both spiritual beacon and de facto guardian of the people. Christianity became so deeply embedded in the Armenian worldview that to be Armenian was, for many, synonymous with being Christian.
Tradition holds that the first Armenian ruler to embrace Christianity was King Abgar V of Osroene in the mid-1st century. But it was under King Tiridates III, in 301 AD, that Christianity was declared the state religion of Armenia — thanks in large part to the missionary work of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who became the first Catholicos (supreme head) of the Armenian Church.
Following the adoption of Christianity, Armenian culture flourished. In 406 AD, the scholar Mesrop Mashtots, in collaboration with Catholicos Sahak Partev, created the Armenian alphabet and translated the Holy Scriptures into the native language. Their translation was so precise and poetic that it earned the name “The Queen of Translations.” This era saw the blossoming of Armenian literary culture, with the translation of theological works, liturgical texts, and the development of a rich, enduring written tradition.
However, in 428 AD, Armenia lost its independence and was divided between the Byzantine Empire and Persia. The Zoroastrian Persians attempted to force Armenians to abandon Christianity — but the Armenian people refused. A heroic uprising led by Vardan Mamikonian between 449–451 AD culminated in the Battle of Avarayr. Though the Armenians were defeated and Vardan martyred, their unyielding stand convinced the Persians to abandon religious coercion.
Vardan’s legacy was immortalized when he and his comrades were canonized as saints. His words before battle still echo through Armenian history:
“Let the Persians see that it is easier to strip the skin from our flesh than to take Christianity from our hearts.”
Armenia is also home to several Russian Orthodox parishes, particularly in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor. In the capital, notable churches include the Church of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God (early 20th century, in Kanaker) and the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, consecrated in recent years.
Gyumri hosts three Orthodox churches:
The Church of Saint Queen Alexandra the Martyr,
The Church of the Archangel Michael, located on the Hill of Honor, where Russian officers fallen in battles with the Ottomans are buried,
And the Church of Saint Arsenius of Serbia.
Vanadzor is home to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Among Armenia’s Russian population — roughly 15,000 people — the majority are Molokans, adherents of a sect known as Spiritual Christianity, akin to Russian Protestantism. They gather not in churches but in homes, where they read the Gospels and observe religious traditions that bear resemblance to Jewish customs. Molokan men grow beards, and women always wear head coverings. Notably, Molokans remain distinct and do not assimilate with either Armenians or Orthodox Russians.
Armenia is also home to approximately 60,000 Yazidis, members of an ethnoreligious group of Kurdish origin whose beliefs are rooted in Zoroastrianism. Unlike the majority of Kurds, Yazidis are not Muslim, and this distinction has historically subjected them to persecution, often from their own kin. In Armenia, however, Yazidis have found refuge and respect. The Yazidi-Armenian relationship has long been one of mutual trust, making the Yazidis the largest national minority in the country.
There are very few Muslims in Armenia. Most are Shiite Iranians temporarily residing in the country for work or study. They often worship at the historic Blue Mosque in downtown Yerevan.
The capital is also home to around 300 Jews, many of whom attend a small but active synagogue. Apart from these groups, other religions have a minimal presence in Armenia, underscoring the country’s deep-rooted Christian character and the enduring influence of its ancient faith.
