Bombay

In the past Mumbay (Bombay) was one of the Armenian cultural centers.

On January 8 2006 bells of the Mumbay (Bombay) Surb Petros Armenian church again rang announcing good tidings of our Lord Jesus Christ's Holy Christmas. The Holy Liturgy was not celebrated at the Surb Petros Armenian church, built in 1796, about two decades.

The official priest at mass was Archimandrite Oshakan Gyulgyulian, the Manager of the Armenian Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta who was accompanied by Archimandrite Ignatios Malkhasian and Deacon Tigran Baghumian, monks of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

During the Holy ceremony, water blessing was held, and the blessed water was given to few Armenians present there and all those present owing to who the Armenian spirit and soul are still kept in Mumbay. His Holiness also preached asking for support of Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem for Armenians living in Mumbay, passing them blessing and appreciation of Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians.

According to the Armenian Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta, two Armenian women, Vram Aghajanian, the Advisor to the RA Consul of Honour to Mumbay, Priest Abraham Josef from the Indian Orthodox Church and few groups of Asyrian Christians were present at the Holy Liturgy.

Sources

• CHRISTMAS LITURGY CELEBRATED AT BOMBAY SURB PETROS ARMENIAN CHURCH,Noyan Tapan], Armenians Today, January 10,2006