07 02 2007 - Six Armenian children from Iraq arrive in Calcutta

www.azad- hye.org From January 14-21, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, Manager of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta and parish priest of the Armenian community of India, traveled to Jordan and Iraq to secure the safe travel of six Armenian children from Baghdad to Calcutta (Kolkata), India, to enroll in the Armenian College.

After arriving at Baghdad International Airport, due to ongoing security concerns, Fr. Oshagan was denied entry to the capital city of Iraq by the authorities and he was forced to return to Jordan. Nevertheless, the children were able to travel to Jordan through the combined efforts of Archbishop Avak Assadourian (Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq), Fr. Oshagan and their parents.

Upon their arrival in Jordan, Fr. Oshagan met the new students of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy and escorted them to Calcutta. The parents of the children have expressed their deep gratitude and appreciation to His Holiness Karekin II and the management and administrators of the Armenian College for providing this opportunity to their sons at this very difficult and dangerous time for Iraq.

The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta was established in 1821. It has been under the care and authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians since 1999.


Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: +374-10-517163
Fax: +374-10-517301
E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
January 23, 2007

V.V