Armenians

Armenians are an ethnic group native to the Armenian Highlands, located in the region of Western Asia. With a history dating back thousands of years, they are one of the world’s oldest nations. The core of Armenia today is the Republic of Armenia, but the Armenian diaspora spans the globe, particularly in countries such as Russia, the United States, France, and Lebanon, among others. The total population of Armenians worldwide is estimated to be between 8 to 16 million, with a significant portion living outside the borders of modern Armenia.

The Armenian language is part of the Indo-European family, with two major dialects: Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian. Eastern Armenian is spoken primarily in Armenia, Artsakh, and Iran, while Western Armenian was historically spoken in the regions of Western Armenia (now part of Turkey) and is primarily used in Armenian diaspora communities. The Armenian alphabet, created in 405 AD by the scholar Mesrop Mashtots, remains unique to the Armenian language and is a point of cultural pride.

Armenians follow various Christian denominations, with the majority adhering to the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the world’s oldest national churches. Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD, making it a central part of their identity. The spread of Christianity among Armenians was influenced by the apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew.

The tragic events of the Armenian Genocide during World War I, in which an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire, had a profound impact on the Armenian people, leading to the formation of a large global diaspora. Despite these hardships, Armenians have made significant contributions to global culture, science, and the arts, while maintaining a strong sense of community and heritage.