Bp Haigazoun Najarian on the Armenian Church Myanmar

On 30 September 2014, the first Pontifical Visit by His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians to Yangon, Myanmar became a historical event for the 150 year old Armenian Apostolic Church of St John the Baptist. His Holiness was accompanied by His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian, Primate of the Diocese of Australia and Pontifical legate of Asia and the Far East and an international delegation.

As the city’s oldest church, consecrated in 1863 a special ceremony was held to unveil a “Blue Plaque,” or historical marker, identifying St John the Baptist Armenian Apostolic Church as a heritage site. It is the third beneficiary of a larger project by the Yangon Heritage Trust to highlight the city’s expansive colonial architecture.

Click to read more on the heritage status.

AN INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP HAIGAZOUN NAJARIAN ON THE ISSUES FACING THE CHURCH

The Armenian Church of Yangon has been subject to news reports for the unlawful management of the church and its property by an overseer (non-Armenian) who had misrepresented himself as an ordained priest of the Anglican Church.

Bishop Haigazoun Najarian candidly answered questions in an interview conducted by Mr Nishan Basmajian following the trip to Myanmar in which he gives an account on the mission of the Pontifical Visit.

Click to read his interview in Armenian.