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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
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March 9, 2007

Catholicos of All Armenians Meets with Chief Minister of West Bengal

Reception Held in Honor of His Holiness Karekin II

On the afternoon of February 28, as part of his continuing Pontifical Visit
to India, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, met with the Chief Minister of the State of West Bengal, the
Honorable Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.  The Chief Minister welcomed His Holiness
to West Bengal, and reflected on the great role the Armenian community of
India has had in the social, cultural and economic development of Kolkata. 
He spoke of the high esteem and admiration with which the Armenians of India
are regarded and expressed hope that the once large population, which has
diminished in recent years, would once again grow and flourish.

The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the Chief
Minister for his kind words and spoke of the centuries-old relationship
between Armenia and India.  The Armenian Pontiff also highly evaluated the
friendship between the two peoples and expressed his pleasure at the number
of Indian students currently studying in Yerevan.  His Holiness thanked the
Chief Minister and all state authorities of India for the careful attention
that is accorded to all religious and ethnic minorities, among them the
Armenians, allowing them to prosper and create, thereby becoming worthy
citizens of the Indian Republic, and contributing members of the societal,
national and cultural life of India.

Also discussed during the meeting were the spheres of cooperation between
the Republics of Armenia and India and the current status of the Armenian
College and Philanthropic Academy and the Armenian churches, cemeteries and
monuments in the State of West Bengal.

Accompanying His Holiness during the visit with the Chief Minister were His
Eminence Abp. Aghan Baliozian, His Excellency Ambassador Ashot Kocharian,
Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian, and local Armenian
Church Committee members Haik Sookias, Jr., Susan Reuben and Sunil Sobti.

* * *

That same evening, a reception was hosted in honor of His Holiness by the
Church Committee.  Among the invitees were members of the Armenian
community, as well as representatives of Indian society who are associated
with the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy and the Armenian
churches and community of India.

During the program, Church Committee Chairman Haik Sookias, Jr. welcomed His
Holiness to Calcutta and thanked the Catholicos of All Armenians for
blessing the Armenians of India with his historic visit, noting that they
have greatly yearned for the visit of the Armenian Pontiff for more than 40
years, since Catholicos Vasken I came to India in 1963.

Ambassador Kocharian also addressed the guests and spoke of the growing ties
and developing relationship between the Republics of Armenia and India, and
mentioned the increasing levels of collaboration between the two countries
in economic and educational spheres.  The ambassador also noted the great
honor he has enjoyed in accompanying the worldwide head of the Armenian
Church throughout the course of his visit to this remarkable Armenian
community.

Following the ambassador’s remarks, in his introduction of the Catholicos of
All Armenian, Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian spoke of the current activities of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin since independence and specifically during
the pontificate of His Holiness Karekin II.  He stressed the importance
placed by His Holiness on the spheres of Christian education and ministry,
social services, the preparation of a new generation of clergy, and cultural
and youth programs.

The Catholicos of All Armenians extended his pontifical blessings and love
to all of the gathered guests and thanked them for their devotion to the
faith of their forefathers and their fidelity to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.  His Holiness exhorted those present to keep the Armenian
College and Philanthropic Academy as a priority in their community life,
stressing that the only future for the Armenians of India are the children
currently enrolled and studying a the Academy.  He also expressed his
appreciation to the organizers of this working pontifical visit and his
thanks to the Indian people for their warm hospitality and welcoming nature
which has allowed Armenians to live their creative and worthy lives in India
for more than 500 years.

The evening concluded with His Holiness offering a prayer of praise and
thanksgiving for the friendship and brotherhood between the Armenian and
Indian peoples, and asking Almighty God to grant peace to the entire world,
reconciliation to all nations and love and charity to all of His children.