The inaugural Republic of Armenia prayer breakfast was held in the nation’s capital city last month, and managed to bring some very disparate groups together to pray – a spiritual victory!
“There’s not been something like this, at least for a thousand years,” said Jacob Pursley, one of the prayer breakfast organizers.
He told Nicole Jansezian who had come from Jerusalem for the event that he believes that “Armenia is in the best position it has ever been in its history.”
The historic prayer breakfast event took place on November 14th -15th 2025 at the National Gallery of Armenia in Yerevan. It was attended by both the Prime Minister and the President of Armenia along with some 300 people from a variety of different backgrounds and even a few from other countries, including Israel.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ARMENIA
Armenia is at the uppermost end of the highway described in Isaiah 19, the most northerly point of the old Assyrian empire. It lies at a geographical and geopolitical crossroads between East and West, and is historically connected to the famed Mount Ararat (presently located just across the border in Eastern Turkey) where Noah’s ark landed. It was also the first country in the world to declare itself officially a Christian nation all the way back in 301 AD.
Today something new and exciting is happening there — so important that the late Charlie Kirk was convinced of its significance, and had been planning to make a trip. He had been invited to the first national prayer breakfast and although he was murdered before he could get there, I’m sure he would be pleased to hear what happened.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke twice at the event, sharing Bible passages from memory, and sharing how he personally came to faith in Jesus. He told the gathering that Armenia is on a journey to find the path that God has prepared “for our people and state, a journey from war to peace.”
Armenian professionals shared how they started their working day in prayer, and have been encouraging their employees with Scripture, giving a good example of what public life can look like when Christian principles and values are sown into the culture.
HOW ARMENIA BECAME THE FIRST CHRISTIAN NATION
The history of how Armenia became a Christian country in the first place begins with both hardships and miracles, and the future looks equally interesting.
Just three hundred years after the birth of Jesus, a man named Grigor Lusavorich was languishing in an Armenian prison for his faith for 13 years. When the king got ill, his sister had a dream about a man in prison who could do miracles and pray for healing. In a manner that sounds not dissimilar to the story of Joseph in the Bible, Grigor Lusavorich was brought before the king to pray for a miracle, and sure enough, God healed him. As a result, the king left the god(s) of his ancestors chose to follow Jesus the Messiah and declared Armenia a Christian nation in 301.
Now the country seems to be rediscovering its identity once again as a vanguard of christianity in the region, as Europe slips further and further away from its Christian heritage.
Prime Minister Pashinyan had been to a prayer breakfast before, held in Washington D.C. back in February — his first experience of such a gathering. He saw the event as significant both spiritually and also for Armenia as a nation. “In hindsight, I see this as personal providence because it played a role in the subsequent peace process,” he said referring to the US brokered peace deal with Azerbaijan in August.
Politics was certainly part of the picture at the prayer breakfast, which was considered by many to be a controversial event. Some objected to the appearance of endorsing the government, which is perceived as being in opposition to the Armenian Apostolic Church. However, the organizers deliberately held some of the activities in the “vatican” of the Apostolic church, exposing participants to both sides of the controversy.
The Holy See is about 30 minutes outside of the capital in Echmiadzin, and Catolicos Karekin II was invited to answer questions and speak about his clergymen who were arrested by the government for charges relating to treason and terrorism. The fact that the organizers were lay people and not connected to politics enabled them to bring all factions together to pray. Indeed, it was Apostolic Bishop Daniel Findikyan who opened the event in prayer, mentioning the resilience of the Armenian church throughout history.
Politics was never far away from the event, whether local or international. The peace agreement brought to fruition by the Trump administration and the potential developments with the US were also topics for prayer.
ARMENIA AT THE CROSSROADS: A NEW DESTINY AWAITS
“The growing relationship between Armenia and the United States has the capacity to contribute to stability and empower states to pursue development,” said Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghmonyan.
The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan after decades of hostility opens up new possibilities in the region, according to the analysis of Charmaine Hedding, a partner and friend of Derech Avraham, who also attended the breakfast.
Jim Garlow, a member of Trump’s Faith Advisory team, blessed Armenia as an example of what it means for a country to be distinctly Christian.
“There’s a profound destiny upon your nation. I came 7,000 miles to encourage you: God’s hand is on this nation,” he said.
“The feeling I get from the conference is that Armenia is really at a crossroads,” said Nicole Jansezian, reflecting on the geographical and cultural positioning of the country between East and West. Trump’s TRIPP initiative will connect nations by creating new shipping routes from Central Asia to Europe. “I just feel like Armenia’s on the cusp of something.”
“I agree with you, Nicole, and I think it’s in the best position it’s ever been in its history,” Pursey concurred. “This is an exciting time for Armenia.”
He continued, “Spiritually, there’s been this revival. I’ve seen it now since 2008 until today.” Pursey also talked about economic growth and the recent peace agreement with Azerbaijan as two more examples of positive developments.
“There’s just so many great things that are happening here, and that God’s people came together for two days, over 300 people, asking God for His mercy and blessing and protection. God’s going to hear those prayers,” he added.
For more information, history, and analysis:
Global implications: Could developments in Armenia impact the Abraham Accords? by Nicole Jansezian
Armenia at a Crossroads: From Ancient Faith to a New Chapter in History by Charmaine Hedding
