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March 10, 2007

Pontifical Visit to St. John the Baptist Church of Chinsurah

On Thursday morning, March 1, the Catholicos of All Armenians and his
delegation traveled from Calcutta to Chinsurah, one of the earliest Armenian
settlements of West Bengal.

The local Armenian community has long since disappeared from the agrarian
city of Chinsurah, however, the beautiful church they built in 1697 still
stands as testimony to their eternal faith and devotion to the Holy
Apostolic Armenian Church.  The Armenian Church of Saint John the Baptist,
well preserved and maintained by the Armenian Church Committee, is the
second oldest Christian house of worship in all of West Bengal, as well as
the oldest Armenian church in India still being used by the Armenians.

Accompanying His Holiness Karekin II during the visit were His Eminence
Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, His Excellency Ambassador Ashot Kocharian, Very
Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, Chairman Haik Sookias Jr., and members of the
Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta and Chinsurah, and the other members
of the pontifical entourage.

In the afternoon, the Pontiff of All Armenians returned to Calcutta and
visited the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy once more, spending
time with the students and offering them his fatherly love, advice and
encouragement.  On Thursday evening, His Holiness and the delegation
departed Calcutta for Chennai (Madras).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress