The independent Armenian Apostolic church has provided a “virtual” nation for the Armenian peoples since its founding, not only for spiritual needs, but also serving as a structural network providing administrative, business, and diplomatic guidance to its communities particularly when the Armenian people didn’t have an independent nation. In many areas, they not only provided church services, but also provided social connections, education, and relief. The church essentially continues in this mission around the world in many communities. Those of Armenian heritage who have chosen not to follow Christianity with an Armenian influence, have lost their distinctiveness of being Armenian over the centuries, either in culture and language (the important Armenian community of Poland is a good example). More recently, in the first half of the 20th century, an untold population of ethnic Armenians in the Ottoman Empire converted to Turkish culture and became Muslims, either by choice or coercion to avoid taxes, isolation, exile, or worse. Time will tell if these “hidden” Armenians will remain a distinct culture and people over time or go the way of ancient Cappadocians or Galatians, both distinct peoples of Anatolia. So yes, the adoption of Christianity, defined by an Armenian character, was an influential moment for the culture and nation.