His Holiness Karekin II visits Dhaka, Bangladesh
26.11.2008
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.
