Russians in Armenia

Russians in Armenia are ethnic Russian living in Armenia, where they make up the second largest minority (after the Yazids). [1] In 2011 census there were 11,911 Russians counted, making up nearly 0.4% of the whole population. [2]

History

The first mass-immigration of Russians into Armenia occurred in the late 18th century when Molokans, a break-off sect of the Russian Orthodox Church, were deported to Amasya and Sevan, with some 5000 of their descendants still living in the country.[1]

After the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-1829 many Russians immigrated to Russian Armenia, establishing businesses and churches, and settling throughout mountainous northwest of the country. During Soviet period much more Russians immigrated into Armenian SSR and were engaged in the industry and clerical work. Outward migration of Russians increased after 1990, during the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, when economic conditions harshly deteriorated and Armenian became the official language of the country.[1]

Traditional Russian villages can still be found in Amassia, Ashotsk (Shirak), Sevan and Semyonvka (Gegharkunik Province), Filoetovo, Lermontov, Pushkino, Sverdlov, Lernantsk, Medovka, Lerhovit, Petrovka, Tashir and Mikaielovska (Lori Province).

Russian churches in Armenia
Holy Cross Church in Yerevan

Amrakits
  • Saint Nikolai the Wonderworker's Church, opened in 1848.

Gyumri
  • Saint Alexandra the Martyr's Church, opened in 1837.
  • Saint Michael the Archangel's Church, opened in 1880.
  • Saint Arsenije Church of, opened in 1910.

Vanadzor
  • Church of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, opened in 1895.

Yerevan


Demolished churches
  • Russian church of the Seversky 18th Dragoon Regiment, built in 1856 in Gyumri. It was consecrated in 1901 and destroyed during the Soviet days.
  • Russian church of the Caucasian 7th Rifle Regiment, built during the 1850s in Gyumri. It was completely destroyed during the Soviet days.
  • Russian church of the Caucasian 8th Rifle Regiment, built during the 1850s in Gyumri. It was completely destroyed during the Soviet days.
  • Russian church of the Baku 154th Infantry Regiment, built during the 1850s in Gyumri. It was completely destroyed during the Soviet days.
  • Saint Nikolai Cathedral, Yerevan, built in the 2nd half of the 19th century and destroyed in 1931.

See also

References
  1. RUSSIANS | People | Armenia Travel, History, Archeology & Ecology | TourArmenia | Travel Guide to Armenia
  2. "2011 census data - Population (urban, rural) by Ethnicity, Sex and Age" (PDF).
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