A study of cultural identity, community solidarity, and religion: the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church within the Armenian community of Jerusalem

Abstract

The focus of study of this paper is the role of Religion and the creation, development and maintenance of a cultural identity, as well as the protection of a commune’s internal cohesiveness. The case for this study is the unique one of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the role that it has as one of the fundamental elements which maintains the Armenian community’s cultural solidarity. There are two thematic tracks for the purpose of this paper: (1) the role that Religion (particularly the Armenian Apostolic Church) has in the creation, molding, development, and maintenance of a given ethnic community (i.e. the Armenian community); (2) the level of influence, power, legitimacy and strength the Church (i.e. the Armenian Apostolic Church) has in its external relations with other ethno-religious groups (i.e. the relations between Armenians, Muslims, Jews, Greek Orthodox, Latins etc.). The study is conducted primarily through a literature review, content analysis, and expert interviews.