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: [email protected]
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March 6, 2007
Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to India
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, the capital of
the Republic of India, on Friday, February 23, 2007. His delegation was met
upon arrival by His Excellency Ashot Kocharian, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to India, and staff of the
Armenian Embassy in Delhi.
On the morning of Saturday, February 24, the first visit of His Holiness
during this trip was to `Rajghat Gandhi Samadi’, the state memorial in New
Delhi to Mahatma Gandhi, to pay his respects to the memory of the national
hero of India and leader of the Indian independence movement through
non-violent resistance. His Holiness and the pontifical delegation,
accompanied by Ambassador Kocharian, were met at the entrance of the complex
by the director of the memorial, who escorted the Catholicos of All
Armenians to the cenotaph at the center of the park. His Holiness Karekin
II placed a floral wreath on the monument to Mahatma Gandhi and offered a
prayer asking for peace in the world, brotherhood among nations and love for
one another. Following the wreath laying ceremony, His Holiness signed the
memorial book of the monument.
The pontifical delegation and the ambassador next visited the `Akshardam’
complex in Delhi, a monument and temple of the Hindu faith. His Holiness
was met at the entrance of the complex by a number of Hindu priests, led by
one of their most senior members, Sadhu Atmaswarupadas, a Hindu Swami.
During the tour of the complex, His Holiness was introduced to Indian
history, culture and national traditions, in addition to examples of Hindu
architecture, art and society. In the afternoon, the Pontiff of All
Armenians visited the National Museum of India, where he viewed examples of
ancient Indian art, including items created by followers of the Hindu and
Buddhist faiths.
On Sunday, February 25, His Holiness and the delegation traveled to the city
of Agra. Agra was the site of the second Armenian church in India, the
Church of the Holy Martyrs (Surb Martiros), constructed in 1562. Although
the church no longer exists, there are a number of Armenian gravestones in
the cemetery of Agra. While in Agra, His Holiness also visited the Taj
Mahal complex and the historic Fort of Agra.
On Monday, February 26, His Holiness Karekin II and the pontifical
delegation visited the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in New Delhi. Mr.
Haik Sookias, Jr., Chairman of the Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta and
Chinsurah had traveled to Delhi to accompany His Holiness. The entourage of
the Armenian Pontiff was greeted at the embassy by His Excellency Ambassador
Ashot Kocharian, embassy staff with their spouses and families, and
Armenians living and studying in New Delhi. Also present were Armenians
from the diaspora currently working in the Indian capital on the staffs of
embassies for their respective countries, including the Russian Federation,
the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Cyprus.
Ambassador Kocharian greeted His Holiness and welcomed the first visit of a
Catholicos of All Armenians to the Armenian Embassy in India. The
ambassador thanked His Holiness for coming and honoring them with his
blessings and prayers, and noted that the visit was the best way to
celebrate the year 2007 as the 15th anniversary of Armenia establishing
diplomatic relations with India.
Mr. Sookias, speaking on behalf of the Church Committee, also welcomed His
Holiness and thanked him for the being the first Catholicos to visit India
in more than 40 years. He spoke of the great anticipation with which the
Armenians of Kolkata (Calcutta) and all of India will be greeting their
Pontiff. Mr. Sookias further invited all Armenians in Delhi to travel to
Calcutta and participate in the re-consecration of the Holy Trinity Armenian
Church of Tangra, which will be presided and offered by His Holiness during
the pontifical visitation.
The Catholicos of All Armenians addressed the gathered faithful and guests,
and extended his appreciation and pontifical blessings to them. He also
offered his prayers for the brotherhood between the Armenian and Indian
peoples and friendship between the Armenian and Indian states.
Accompanying His Holiness during the pontifical visit to India are Rev. Fr.
Ktrij Devejian from the Mother See and Rev. Fr. Hovnan Hakobian as
Staff-bearer.