Armenian Church of Holy Nazareth
Encyclopedia
The Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth (Church of the Nazar) Armenian Apostolic Church
is located on Armenian Street at the northwest corner of Barabazar
in Kolkata
.The church was built in 1764, and is reportedly the oldest surviving Christian church in Calcutta
(known today as Kolkata). It is one of three Armenian churches in Calcutta. The others are Saint Mary's Church and the church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The church's interior is decorated with marble
, and a staircase leads to the galleries whose walls are adorned with inset frescoes and paintings. The altar holds a cross, the Gospel and 12 candlesticks symbolizing Christ's 12 Apostles. The altar is also decorated with three paintings by English artist Harris: "Holy Trinity", "Last Supper" and "The Enshrouding of Our Lord". In the various rooms you can see remnants of the old Armenian cemetery. The spiritual leader of Armenians in India is Khoren Hovhannisyan. In the 20th century, the church provided a place for members of the Russian diaspora to hold Russian Orthodox church
services.
signed a contract with the Armenians. Sir Josiah Child
, on behalf of the East India Company and Khoja Sarhad & Khoja Fanush on behalf of the Armenians, signed the contract. In accordance with the contract, the East India Company had to build churches through out India
in areas that were inhabited by at least 40 Armenians, with the provision of 50 pounds as a salary for the priests in these churches.
In 1708 (according to other sources in 1705 or 1707), the East India Company built a small wooden church, which is now the site of the southeast wing of the Church of Holy Nazareth. 1708 is officially considered the founding date of the church. In 2008, it celebrated its tercentenary. According to other sources, an Armenian named Aga Nazar (Nazar Ago) raised money and built the church in 1724. The present church building was built in 1764 by Aga Mamed Hazar Maliyar on land donated by an Armenian, Kenanentekh Phanoosh. It was designed by Kavond (hevond) from Persia.
The interior of the church was designed by Khachik Erfiel. Khachik also built a monastery for priests and erected a high wall around the cemetery. In addition, he donated a beautiful church clock. In 1790, Khachik Arakiel attached her room to the clergy and set the clock on the belfry. The rich interiors, including a combination of black and white marble, appeared with the support of wealthy Armenians, such as Sir Paul Chater Khachik.
Armenians have lived in India
since ancient times, arriving long before before British colonial rule. The Armenians, like the early Christians in Europe, were the first to bring Christianity to India.
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
is located on Armenian Street at the northwest corner of Barabazar
Barabazar
Barabazar is a census town in Purulia district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Geography:The area forms the lowest step of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The general scenario is undulating land with scattered hills.-Demographics:...
in Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
.The church was built in 1764, and is reportedly the oldest surviving Christian church in Calcutta
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
(known today as Kolkata). It is one of three Armenian churches in Calcutta. The others are Saint Mary's Church and the church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The church's interior is decorated with marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
, and a staircase leads to the galleries whose walls are adorned with inset frescoes and paintings. The altar holds a cross, the Gospel and 12 candlesticks symbolizing Christ's 12 Apostles. The altar is also decorated with three paintings by English artist Harris: "Holy Trinity", "Last Supper" and "The Enshrouding of Our Lord". In the various rooms you can see remnants of the old Armenian cemetery. The spiritual leader of Armenians in India is Khoren Hovhannisyan. In the 20th century, the church provided a place for members of the Russian diaspora to hold Russian Orthodox church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
services.
History
In June 22, 1688 the British East India CompanyEast India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
signed a contract with the Armenians. Sir Josiah Child
Josiah Child
Sir Josiah Child of Wanstead, 1st Baronet , English merchant, economist proponent of mercantilism and governor of the East India Company, was born in London, the second son of Richard Child, a London merchant of old family.-Family:...
, on behalf of the East India Company and Khoja Sarhad & Khoja Fanush on behalf of the Armenians, signed the contract. In accordance with the contract, the East India Company had to build churches through out India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in areas that were inhabited by at least 40 Armenians, with the provision of 50 pounds as a salary for the priests in these churches.
In 1708 (according to other sources in 1705 or 1707), the East India Company built a small wooden church, which is now the site of the southeast wing of the Church of Holy Nazareth. 1708 is officially considered the founding date of the church. In 2008, it celebrated its tercentenary. According to other sources, an Armenian named Aga Nazar (Nazar Ago) raised money and built the church in 1724. The present church building was built in 1764 by Aga Mamed Hazar Maliyar on land donated by an Armenian, Kenanentekh Phanoosh. It was designed by Kavond (hevond) from Persia.
The interior of the church was designed by Khachik Erfiel. Khachik also built a monastery for priests and erected a high wall around the cemetery. In addition, he donated a beautiful church clock. In 1790, Khachik Arakiel attached her room to the clergy and set the clock on the belfry. The rich interiors, including a combination of black and white marble, appeared with the support of wealthy Armenians, such as Sir Paul Chater Khachik.
Armenians have lived in India
Armenians in India
The association of Armenians with India and the presence of Armenians in India are very old, and there has been a mutual economic and cultural association of Armenians with India for the last several centuries...
since ancient times, arriving long before before British colonial rule. The Armenians, like the early Christians in Europe, were the first to bring Christianity to India.