St. Thomas’ Cathedral, Zero Point of Mumbai

St. Thomas’ Cathedral

Zero Point of Mumbai

Churchgate Station is one of the prime entry points to Mumbai (once Bombay) and the name refers to the St. Thomas’ Church. Once the southern portion of the island city of Bombay was surrounded by a high wall and was referred to as the Fort Area.

St. Thomas’ Cathedral, Mumbai

The wall had three gates and the one near the present day location of the Flora Fountain. Because of its proximity to the St. Thomas’ Church it came to be known as the Churchgate.

Centenary of the end of World War I, Remembrance Day, Kolkata

Centenary of the end of World War I

Remembrance Day, Kolkata

I’m privileged to be here in Kolkata and had the opportunity to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in war. We recognise India’s remarkable contribution to the war efforts….

Bruce Bucknell. British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata

100th Remembrance Sunday at Kolkata. L: Bhowanipore Cemetery, C: Glorious Dead Cenotaph, Maidan and R: St. John’s Church

It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 2018 the buglers sounded the Last Post followed by a two minutes silence, which was broken by the sounding of The Rouse.

St. Stephen’s Church, Kidderpore, Kolkata

Church with a Rocket like Steeple

Also see: My compilation of Calcutta (Kolkata) Churches

The St. Stephen’s Church, located on the Diamond Harbour Road, and next to the St. Thomas School, it is best observed from the bridge over Adi Ganga (Tolly Nala) in Kiddrpore.

St. Stephen’s Church, D H Road, Kidderpore, Kolkata

With its unique rocket like steeple the St. Stephen’s Church attracts the attention of even the casual passerby. Strangely the steeple was not meant to be designed like a rocket, in fact it was designed as a ship’s lantern.

Remembrance Sunday, St. John’s Church, Kolkata

November 8, 2015

The First World War (WWI), which was the known as the Great War of 1914 – 18, ended on 11 November 1918 (11/11/18).

Remembrance Day, St. John’s Church, Kolkata

A year later in 1919 King George V inaugurated the first commemoration of the end of the Great War of 1914 – 18. 

Seven Church Walk, Good Friday, Kolkata (Calcutta)

Seven Church Walk

Good Friday, Kolkata (Calcutta)

The lady carried the cross along the, tram tracks of, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road. She walked bare feat and had anklets and toe rings in her feet.

Seven Church Walk, Good Friday, Kolkata (Calcutta)

A Bengali Christian she had the sindoor (vermilion) at the parting of her hair, a symbol of married Hindu women.

Zagreb Cathedral, Kaptol, Zagreb

Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary

See also: FAM (Familiarization) tour of Croatia

Different views of Zagreb Cathedral, Kaptol, Zagreb

Once the city of Zagreb consisted of a twin settlement spread across two neighboring hills. The larger western section was known as Gradec (Gornji Grad) and was mainly inhabited by farmers and merchants. The smaller eastern section was known as the Kaptol and housed the Zagreb Cathedral and was inhabited by the priests and clergy men.

Blessing of the Grapes, Festival of Calcutta Armenians

Blessing of the Grapes

Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Tangra, Calcutta (Kolkata)

Also see: Armenians of Calcutta (Kolkata)

Held on the Sunday closest to the 15th August, the Grape Blessing Ceremony is one of the most important festivals of the Armenian calender.

Blessing of the Grapes, Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Tangra, Calcutta (Kolkata)

Although a Christian festival the Blessing of the Grapes originally dates back to the days of Paganism. Mid August was harvest season in Armenia and it was also the new year for pre – Christian Armenians.

Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Tangra, Calcutta (Kolkata)

Sunday Mass

Also see my blog posts on Armenians of Calcutta (Kolkata)

Tangra, Calcutta’s (Kolkata’s) Chinatown known for its tanneries and Chinese restaurant is also the home of the Armenian Church of Holy Trinity.

L: Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Tangra, Kolkata. R: Graveyard with the church

The Armenians claimed to have settled in Calcutta (Kolkata) much before the arrival of Job Charnock. A vibrant commercial community they wanted to reestablish their socio – cultural activity in Calcutta and Bengal.

Armenian (St. John, the Baptist) Church, Chinsurah

St. John, the Baptist, Armenian Church, Chinsurah

Annual Pilgrimage of Calcutta Armenians to Chinsurah (Chuchura)

Also see: Armenians of Calcutta (Kolkata)

Armenian Pilgrimage, St. John, the Baptist, Armenian Church, Chinsurah (Chuchura)

Every year on the Sunday after the Armenian Christmas, which is celebrated on 6 Jan, the handful of Calcutta (Kolkata) Armenians along with the students of the Armenian College make an annual pilgrimage to the St. John, the Baptist, Armenian Church in the erstwhile Dutch settlement of Chinsurah (Chuchura).

Armenian Churches of West Bengal

A compilation of Armenian Churches in West Bengal

Also see my blog posts on Armenians of Calcutta (Kolkata)

The Armenians have been connected with India as traders from the days of antiquity. They came to this country by the overland route, through Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet and werewell established in all the commercial centers long before the advent of any European traders. However, the Armenian community prospered and developed during the 16th right up to the 18th century.

Clockwise from top left: Nazareth Church (Bara Bazar, Kolkata), St. John’s Baptist Church (Chinsurah), St. Mary’s Church (Cossimbazar) and St. Gregory Illuminator Church (Park Circus, Kolkata)

Armenian community sought to reestablish their socio-cultural identity and not just restrict themselves to be a vibrant commercial community. This was one of the reasons that urged them to build churches in their settlements and invite priests. The Church was considered as the centre of all community activities.

In India, wherever they build settlements, they constructed churches. Today, all over India, one can find many beautiful Armenian churches, chapels and historical monuments standing as mute witnesses or silent sentinels of a once-flourishing Armenian settlement. Presently West Bengal alone houses four Armenian Churches in Calcutta (Kolkata) and surrounding areas.