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
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April 29, 2009

Rev. Fr. Khoren Hovhannisian Celebrates First Liturgy
as Pastor of the Armenians of India

By the Pontifical Directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, Rev. Fr. Khoren Hovhannisian, a member of
the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, has been appointed as Pastor of the
Armenian community of India and Manager of the Armenian College and
Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta (Kolkata), as of April 25, 2009.

On Sunday, April 26, Fr. Khoren celebrated his first Divine Liturgy in
India, in the Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, located on the
grounds of the Armenian Home for the Aged in Kolkata.  During the Divine
Liturgy, Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian, Pontifical Representative of His Holiness
for India, having arrived in Kolkata with Fr. Khoren, greeted the faithful
on behalf of the Catholicos of All Armenians and conveyed His Holiness’
blessings to all present.  Fr. Ktrij welcomed Fr. Khoren to India, and
introduced him to the faithful Indian-Armenian community and the students of
the Armenian College.  Fr. Ktrij also expressed the appreciation and thanks
of the Pontiff of All Armenians to Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, outgoing
Manager of the school and former pastor of the Armenians of India, for his
five years of productive and devoted service to the community and the
students of the College, which resulted in many improvements and positive
reforms.

Thereafter, Fr. Khoren delivered his first sermon to the Indian-Armenian
community and the students of the College, expressing his happiness and
complete readiness to work together with the community for the glory of God
and the consolation of his flock.  Fr. Khoren thanked His Holiness for the
opportunity to serve in such a historic Armenian community, and pledged to
contribute his abilities and efforts for the prosperity and vibrancy of the
Armenian Church and faithful in India and the Armenian College and
Philanthropic Academy.