Abstract. Since the Republic of Armenia declared independence in 1991, the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) has been a fundamental part of the state apparatus, playing a significant role in societal life and influencing both domestic politics and international relations. However, the Velvet Revolution of 2018 brought about a sharp conflict between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities. This conflict is both ideological and cultural in nature. The current Armenian government seeks closer integration with the West, promoting the adoption of “universal values of Western civilization.” This shift aims to transform Armenian society into a community of individuals (“proud citizens of Armenia”) with expanded freedom of expression, including religious equality and the acceptance of various faiths and practices. Such changes threaten to diminish the AAC’s historically pivotal role in the life of the Armenian nation. The AAC, like other traditional churches, advocates for the preservation of traditional values. The future of the Armenian nation will be shaped by global transformations as well as the ongoing domestic political developments, particularly the population’s reception of “universal Western values” versus a path rooted in Armenia’s own cultural and historical legacy.