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: 
November 26, 2008

His Holiness Karekin II visits Dhaka, Bangladesh

On Sunday, November 16, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, paid a one-day visit to the Armenian Church of
the Holy Resurrection, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.  The historic church is
located in a district of the city – Armanitola, named after the large
Armenian community that once lived there.

The church and cemetery were established in 1781 by the Armenians of Bengal,
who were primarily merchants prominent in the jute, textile and silk
trades.  The community of Dhaka was closely linked to the other Armenian
communities of Bengal, including Calcutta (present-day Kolkata), Chinsurah
and Saidabad.

During his visit to the church and cemetery, His Holiness met with Mr.
Michael Martin, the last permanent Armenian resident of Dhaka, who has been
maintaining the church complex for the past few decades.  The trip to Dhaka
was made during His Holiness’ pontifical visit to India.

Accompanying His Holiness to Dhaka were Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian and the
Wardens of the Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta – Mr. Sunil Sobti and
Mrs. Susan Reuben.

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