PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: 
January 23, 2007
Six Armenian Children from Iraq Arrive in Calcutta

>>From January 14-21, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II,

Catholicos of All Armenians, Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, Manager
of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta and
parish priest of the Armenian community of India, traveled to Jordan
and Iraq to secure the safe travel of six Armenian children from
Baghdad to Calcutta (Kolkata), India, to enroll in the Armenian
College.

After arriving at Baghdad International Airport, due to ongoing
security concerns, Fr. Oshagan was denied entry to the capital city
of Iraq by the authorities and he was forced to return to Jordan. 
Nevertheless, the children were able to travel to Jordan through
the combined efforts of Archbishop Avak Assadourian (Primate of the
Armenian Diocese of Iraq), Fr. Oshagan and their parents.

Upon their arrival in Jordan, Fr. Oshagan met the new students of
the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy and escorted them
to Calcutta.  The parents of the children have expressed their
deep gratitude and appreciation to His Holiness Karekin II and the
management and administrators of the Armenian College for providing
this opportunity to their sons at this very difficult and dangerous
time for Iraq.

The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta was
established in 1821.  It has been under the care and authority of
the Catholicos of All Armenians since 1999.

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