Date:10/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/10/stories/2008111054780500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Armenian Church of Madras re-consecrated

Special Correspondent

— Photo: R. Ragu

FRESH BLESSINGS: Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of the Armenian community Karekin-II emerges from St. Mary’s Armenian Church, which was re-consecrated in Chennai on Sunday. Ashot Kocharian, Armenian Ambassador (left), is in the picture.

CHENNAI: St. Mary’s Armenian Church of Madras, among the oldest landmarks standing tall in Chennai, was re-consecrated at a solemn ceremony on Sunday.

Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of the Armenian community Karekin-II presided over the ceremony, which was attended by Ashot Kocharian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, pastors and a visiting laity hailing from the Armenian Church Committee of India. A special service marked the re-consecration ceremony of the church, which has a history dating back to some 300 years.

Among the many unique features of this proud symbol of the Armenian Orthodoxy in the city is the belfry with six bells, considered to be the most in any single church in the State.

However, full-scale services are seldom held here, as the number of Armenian settlers have dwindled over the years.