Research Article
The Humanitarian and Educational Assistance of Evangelicals and American Missionaries to the Armenian People (1915–1945)
Astghik Ghazaryan*
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, June 2026
Pages:
1-5
Received:
3 December 2025
Accepted:
16 December 2025
Published:
16 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.history.20261401.11
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Abstract: Following the Armenian Genocide, the activities of the Armenian Evangelical Association of America within the diaspora focused on preserving and restoring national, religious and cultural identity. The genocide caused a social, spiritual and educational crisis that required comprehensive support, with evangelical churches, associations and American missionary organisations playing an important role. Their activities covered the spiritual, educational and social spheres, thereby contributing to community stability and the reorganisation of Armenian communities on social and institutional levels. Education was the primary focus of the missionaries' activities. From the 1920s onwards, educational centres were established and reopened, combining teaching with the promotion of Christian values and moral education. Alongside the study of Holy Scripture, evangelical schools placed great emphasis on teaching the Armenian language and literature, as well as prayer in the native language. This approach was crucial for preserving Armenian identity and transmitting cultural values in a foreign environment. The missionaries also played a significant role by learning the Armenian language, teaching in Armenian and helping to improve educational centres and provide educational materials. Historically, these organisations' activities coincided with the reorganisation and restoration of Armenian diaspora communities' identities. They promoted the development of education and spirituality, and served as a means of social networking, facilitating the formation of new communities and fostering clear internal relations. Evangelical schools and centres provided a cultural platform through which the younger generation could engage with the Armenian language, literature, and Christian values, thereby strengthening their sense of community and identity. This study aims to shed new light on the Armenian Evangelical Association of America and American missionaries by analysing their organisational structures and evaluating their influence on the social, educational, and institutional life of Armenian communities. These organisations' activities have therefore made an important contribution to the spiritual, educational and cultural restoration of the Armenian people, strengthening their national identity in the face of new historical realities.
Abstract: Following the Armenian Genocide, the activities of the Armenian Evangelical Association of America within the diaspora focused on preserving and restoring national, religious and cultural identity. The genocide caused a social, spiritual and educational crisis that required comprehensive support, with evangelical churches, associations and American...
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