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An Armenian Oasis in Bangladesh

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  • An Armenian Oasis in Bangladesh

    MEDIA RELEASE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
    10 Macquarie Street
    Chatswood NSW 2067
    AUSTRALIA
    Contact: Laura Artinian
    Tel: (02) 9419-8056
    Fax: (02) 9904-8446
    Email: [email protected]


    20 January 2014


    AN ARMENIAN OASIS IN BANGLADESH

    There have never been very large enclaves of Armenians residing in Asia or
    the Far East however the presence of pockets of Armenians in the region and
    their impact on the societies in which they lived have left their mark
    despite the dwindling of these communities over time.

    The footprints of Armenians in Asia can be traced back to the seventeenth
    century and there is no greater symbol of the Armenian presence than the
    Armenian Apostolic Church spotted in various locations in the region, still
    standing with their courtyards of tombstones filled with life stories of
    Armenian traders and merchants.

    One such oasis can be found in the capital city of Bangladesh in Dhaka, the
    Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection.

    The Armenian population of Dhaka began taking root in the early part of the
    18th century most of whom were engaged in the jute trade with some prominent
    Armenian merchants who owned their own companies. The earliest settlers
    built a small chapel in the midst of their community graveyard but by the
    end of the century the Armenian community had grown considerably and the
    chapel became inadequate for the needs of the community. In 1781 the Church
    of Holy Resurrection was completed as a place of worship and gathering. In
    1837, the belfry that also served as a clock tower was added and in 1907 a
    parsonage was built.

    Today, the Church grounds continues to stand in Armanitola, Old Dhaka as a
    major landmark with the original edifice and buildings well-restored and
    over two hundred gravestones nestled on the estate. Still an oasis of peace
    and tranquillity in the surrounding chaos of the district, the immediate
    area is highly dense with populace and industry primarily in chemical and
    paper trading.

    Whilst the resounding Armenian language may no longer be resonating from the
    altar and filling the once thriving church, the Armenian spirit continues to
    linger with the inscriptions, motifs, designs, crosses and monuments that
    decorate the fasciae and facades. And so in December 2013, with the
    blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
    Armenians, an international delegation from the Armenian Apostolic Church
    headed by His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian, Primate of the Diocese of
    Australia and New Zealand, accompanied by Mr Haig Didizian (London), Mr and
    Mrs Armen and Laura Arslanian (Los Angeles), Mr Hagop Didizian (London), and
    Mr Pierre Hennes and Ms Cheryl Ho (Singapore) departed on an exploratory
    visit to learn more about the overall current situation of the Church and
    the Armenian community, meeting with key stakeholders and community members,
    most notably long-standing Church Custodian, Mr Michael Joseph Martin.

    Mr Martin (born Mikel Housep Martirossian in Yangon, Myanmar 1930) came to
    Dhaka in 1942 during World War II following in the footsteps of his father
    who had settled in the region decades earlier. Now widowed with three
    daughters who reside in Canada, Mr Martin took on the role of Custodian in
    1986 and continues to oversee all its needs until today. He resides in the
    custodian's residence (formerly the parsonage) which is adjacent to the
    Church. The grounds also house a caretaker's residence and a building dated
    back to 1929 which was once used as a schoolhouse and residential quarters.

    According to Mr Martin there are currently 50-60 families in Bangladesh who
    are of mixed Armenian-Bangla descent. `Sometimes there were several thousand
    Armenians trading in the Bengal region.' He notes, `They were always an
    important community in Dhaka and dominated the country's trading. They were
    the who's who in town. They celebrated all their religious festivals with
    pomp and style.' He also recalls how `every Sunday was a day of festival for
    us. Almost every Armenian would attend the service, no matter how big he was
    in social position. The Church was the centre of all activities.'

    The decline of the community however came gradually after the British left
    India and the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947 with Dhaka becoming the
    capital of East Pakistan and then of Bangladesh after it gained independence
    in 1971. Martin said the once-busy social scene came to a halt after the
    last Armenian priest Bagrat left in the mid 1960's.

    These days, the Armenian Church holds only occasional services on major
    feasts in the Orthodox Christian calendar with a visiting priest leading the
    services.

    During the delegation's three-day visit, His Grace Bishop Najarian
    celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of Holy Resurrection on Friday
    13 December during which he presented Mr Martin with the Encyclical
    conferred upon by His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
    of All Armenians recognising his dedicated contribution and devotion to the
    Church. He was bestowed the St Nerses Shnorhali Medal a tribute reserved
    for noteworthy recipients who demonstrate exemplary and time-honoured
    service.

    Mr Martin's determination to continue to maintain and preserve the jewel of
    the Armenian Church of Dhaka is best summed up by his own words (as recorded
    by the BBC) ... `Whatever happens, I'm determined not to let this church go to
    the rack and ruin. I may be the last resident Armenian in Bangladesh, but I
    will do everything in my power to ensure an Armenian from abroad takes over
    the job.' Despite a diminished community Martin stands firm in his resolve,
    `I've seen bad days before, but we always bounced back. I am sure Armenians
    will come back here for trade and business. I will then rest in peace beside
    my wife.'

    Dhaka has an estimated population of more than 23 million people, making it
    the largest city in Bangladesh and the 8th largest city in the world.

    For more information about Armenian history and communities in Asia, please
    visit: www.armeniansinasia.org.

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