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History of the Church of the Nazarene in Armenia

Brief History of the CIS
Armenia is one of 12 countries referred to as the Commonwealth of Independent States - countries that were once under the rule of the former Soviet Union. These nations represent a wide variety of landscape, climate, inhabited by at least 60 ethnic people groups, as well as a diversity of religions, from atheism to Islam and even to various tribal religions. The Church of the Nazarene has been able to start work in several of the former Soviet republics, including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Armenia since 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed.

Brief History of Armenia

Armenia has a very extensive, ancient history. At the height of its power (95-86 BCE), Armenia once stretched between the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and from the Black Sea as far southward into Syria and Damascus. Traditionally, Armenia has claimed to be the first nation to adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301CE. Since Antinquity, Armenia has experienced mixed times of independence and national autonomy within various empires. Their Christian distinction has always been a point of culture and uniqueness among the Armenians.

In the early 20th century, under the Ottoman Empire, Armenians were severely massacred - what is now known as the Armenian Genocide. During that time, many fled Armenia and inhabited neighboring countries, Europe and North America as well. Armenia joined the Soviet Union after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and a breif time of independence. Soviet rule offered some stabability but also more persecution from the Communist government under Stalin.

In 1988, the country was hit by a devistating earthquake, crippling the economy and destroying cities. In 1990, Armenia declared independence, which was not fully recognize until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. More than twenty years since the earthquake and independence, the country is still developing its mark in the world, but Armenians are still proving resilient as they have been throughout history.

History of the Church of the Nazarene in Armenia

The Church of the Nazarene began its work in Armenia in 2003 through Compassionate Ministries and a Multi-Denominational Seminary. Since then, there are six churches in Armenia. The church is growing through children and youth involvement as well through Compassionate Ministries.

Nazarene Churches in Armenia>>