The preservation and reproduction of an ethnic group in diaspora largely depends on the functioning of institutions that support it as a distinct social community. This is due to the fact that being “the form of social organization of intercultural differences” [Bart, 2006, 11], ethnicity requires social mechanisms for its maintenance. The formation and functioning of these mechanisms are significantly shaped not only by external factors, but also by long-standing traditions of social practices developed over historical time. In this context, the experience of religious institutions that maintain ethnicity as a unique ethno-social community in diverse ethno-confessional environments under varying socio-economic conditions is particularly noteworthy. The importance of these institutions is linked to the recognition by the majority of the ethnic group that their religious affiliation is defined within national boundaries. This becomes especially critical in other ethnic and religious environments, where ethnic self-consciousness focuses on markers of distinction, including religious identity. Thus, religious consciousness in the diaspora is closely intertwined with ethnic identity, and religious affiliation becomes a central component of self-identification. The degree to which this is preserved can be an indicator of the dynamics of diaspora processes in specific contexts. Understanding these specificities requires empirical research, which is the focus of this article. It draws on sociological studies of Armenian communities in Los Angeles, Prague, and Beirut, exploring the logic of interrelationships between behavior, consciousness, community composition, and environmental conditions. The inclusion of data from such studies allows for a factor analysis of the religious aspect underlying the social practices of Armenian ethnic groups in foreign environments, helping us to understand their prospects as distinct yet integral parts of the societies in which they reside.

Key words: religion, diaspora, ethnic group, Armenian communities, Foreign ethnic environment, religious consciousness, religious behavior

DOI: 10.22250/20728662-2025-4-138-147

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About the authors

	Ruben S. Karapetyan – Doctor of Historical Sciences, Head of the Department of Diaspora Studies, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography NAS RA; 15 Charents St., Yerevan, 0025, Republic of Armenia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Nelli R. Khachaturian – Ph.D. (History), Researcher of the Department of Diaspora Studies, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of NAS RA; 15 Charents St., Yerevan, 0025, Republic of Armenia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Lusine A. Tanajyan – Ph.D. (History), Senior Researcher of the Department of Diaspora Studies, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of NAS RA; 15 Charents St., Yerevan, 0025, Republic of Armenia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.