13 January 2008: On the occasion of the Feast of St. John the Baptist and in accordance with centuries old tradition, Holy Mass was celebrated at St. John the Baptist Armenian Church, Chinsurah. This is the second oldest church in West Bengal, built in 1695. Although at present there are no Armenians living in Chinsurah, every year Indian Armenian pilgrims gather here to attend the Holy Mass, say prayers and keep the spirit of Armenian Christianity alive.The Very Rev. Father Oshagan Gulgulian, Manager of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy (ACPA) and Spiritual Head of the Armenians in India performed Mass, assisted by Deacon Harutyun Hambardzumyan, a member of the Order of Holy Etchmiadzin.
In his sermon Father Oshagan emphasised the importance of preserving the heritage we have received from our predecessors and underlined the necessity of reviving the Indian Armenian community.
?Once again we have gathered here, following the tradition inherited from our predecessors, to attend Holy Mass and pray for the strength of our church and wellbeing of the Indian Armenian Community. We must remember that with the same prayers the Indian Armenians have kept their faith and flourished here, far away from their fatherland. It is those same miraculous prayers that are keeping us today attached to our roots in this hospitable country?, said Father Oshagan.
On this happy occasion the Golden Hand containing a piece of sacred bone of St. John the Baptist was used during the ANDASDAN (prayers for the blessing of land). The Holy Hand of St. John the Baptist is kept in Calcutta, at the Armenian Church of Nazareth.
After the Mass requiem service was performed for the repose of the souls of all those buried at the church compound.
The pilgrimage was attended by the Committee members of the Calcutta Armenian Church, members of the community and students of the ACPA.
Armenian text (PDF format).
Contact Details:
The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy (ACPA):
56B, MIRZA GHALIB ST. KOLKATA (Calcutta), India
E-mail: [email protected]
Manager: Very Rev. Father Oshagan Gulgulian
The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy (ACPA):
56B, MIRZA GHALIB ST. KOLKATA (Calcutta), India
E-mail: [email protected]
Manager: Very Rev. Father Oshagan Gulgulian
Translated by Assadour Guzelian.
Armenian Church in Chinsurah, India
Long live our Armenian friends in India!