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THE 170TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN SINGAPORE

Where Armenians settle, an Armenian Church is first to sprout. So it was for the Armenian Community of Singapore in the early 19th century when it built the very first Christian sanctuary in Singapore in 1835, the Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator located at 60 Hill Street, Singapore.

With fewer than 830 Armenians ever having lived in Singapore and Malaysia, it is said that Armenians impacted the social, civic and economic life of the early British trading settlements in both countries. Author Nadia H. Wright explores the significant contribution of Armenians in her book entitled “Respected Citizens: the History of Armenians in Singapore and Malaysia” and traces the existence of four Singaporean icons to Armenians: the Church of St Gregory, the Raffles Hotel, the Straits Times newspaper and the “Vanda Miss Joaquim” orchid ~ popularly known as the Singapore orchid that is the national flower of Singapore.

To mark the 170th anniversary of Singapore’s Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, the Trustees of the Church and Armenians living in Asia have planned a weekend of celebration from 11-13 November and extend an invitation to Armenians around the globe to partake in this very special event.

With the fatherly blessing of His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the celebrations will be presided by His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand & Pontifical Legate of India and the Far East.

A special website has been created to serve as a guide to the celebrations in Singapore with information on the history of the Church, program of planned events, recommended accommodation and tours/excursions of Singapore and the surrounding region. The website address is www.armeniansinasia.org and it is highly recommended the site be frequently visited for updates and latest information on the celebratory events.[...]