𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡, 𝐊𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐇.𝐆. 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧

H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan was accompanied by clergy, diocesan council members, and managing committee members of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral. The Metropolitan was received with great warmth by the vicar, assistant vicar, deacon, and parishioners of the Armenian Church, who gathered to welcome His Grace and the delegation.

An ecumenical prayer service was held during the visit, symbolizing the spirit of fellowship and Christian unity shared between the Armenian and Indian Orthodox traditions.

The visit also highlighted the deep-rooted historical presence of Armenians in India. Historical records show that Armenian merchants were active in Bengal as early as the 17th century, playing an important role in trade and civic life in what would later become the city of Kolkata. A lasting testament to this rich heritage is the Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth, one of the oldest churches in the city and a significant symbol of the Armenian community’s legacy The church was first built in 1688 during the Mughal era and later rebuilt in 1724 on the old Armenian cemetery, after the original wooden structure was destroyed in a fire in 1707.

During the visit, representatives of the Armenian community introduced various aspects of the church and the Armenian Centre, which stand within a historic cemetery that forms an integral part of the church grounds.

Expressing deep appreciation, H.G. Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan described it as a privilege to witness this living heritage in the heart of Kolkata. Reflecting on the experience, His Grace remarked that walking through the quiet pathways of the cemetery and church grounds offered a profound sense of history and the resilience of a community that has carefully preserved its identity while contributing meaningfully to the broader society.