The Armenian Diaspora: A Reflection on Church, Community, and Identity

The Armenian Diaspora - A Reflection on Church, Community, and Identity

In the heart of Los Angeles, where the Armenian diaspora flourishes amid a multicultural landscape, a powerful message was delivered by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, during his pontifical visit. His reflections offered a profound call to action for Armenians living far from their ancestral homeland: to transform their communities from passive preservers of identity into active centers of mission, renewal, and cultural vitality.

The Armenian diaspora, scattered across continents, carries with it a legacy of resilience, faith, and cultural richness. For many, especially in cities like Los Angeles, the local Armenian Apostolic Church is more than a place of worship, it is the nucleus of identity. It serves as a spiritual home, a cultural hub, and a place where the Armenian language, traditions, and communal values are nurtured and passed down. Catholicos Aram I emphasized that the church must not be seen merely as a shelter but as a launching pad for outreach, service, and engagement.

This vision redefines the role of the diaspora church. It is not enough to preserve Armenian identity in isolation. Instead, the faithful are called to reorganize and revitalize their communities.

This means contributing time, energy, and talents to church programs, youth initiatives, language education, and social outreach. The Catholicos’s message was especially directed at the youth, urging them to take their place at the forefront of community life rather than remain on the sidelines.

The dual identity of diaspora Armenians, citizens of their host countries and inheritors of a deep Armenian Christian heritage, was another central theme. Catholicos Aram I reminded his audience that living in America should not dilute their Armenian-ness. Rather, it should inspire pride and fidelity to the values that define Armenian Christians.

This duality calls for active civic participation while maintaining strong ties to Armenian traditions and faith.

In Los Angeles, home to one of the largest Armenian diaspora populations in North America, these reflections carry particular weight. The churches here serve as bridges between generations, connecting elders who arrived from Armenia, Lebanon, or other diaspora communities with younger Armenian Americans growing up in a diverse cultural environment.

Amid pressures of assimilation and language loss, the church anchors the community, ensuring that faith and culture are not left to drift but are actively upheld.

The visit of Catholicos Aram I was not just ceremonial, it was a clarion call. Armenian churches in the diaspora are not optional institutions; they are essential. They are living centers of identity, service, and renewal.

By committing to church life and embracing the mission laid out by the Catholicos, diaspora Armenians honor their past, live out their faith, and build a future where Armenian identity and Christian mission thrive together.

This report draws from the reflections of Alique Menzilcian, a dedicated Armenian youth and senior at Ferrahian High School in Encino, whose passion for preserving Armenian culture and community shines through her involvement in the AYF and her school’s athletic programs. Her voice represents a new generation ready to answer the call.