Armenian Priests who Served in Dhaka 1831-1957.
List of Priests at the Armenian Church Dacca
| 1831-1836 | Reverend David Mackertoom |
| 1837-1843 | Reverend Hyrapiet Gregory |
| 1843-1847 | Reverend Jacob Bashkoom |
| 1847-1852 | Reverend Stephen Baragham |
| 1852-1856 | Reverend George H. Elias (was also known as Rev. Kavorke Ter. Eleazar) |
| 1856-1861 | Reverend Carapiet Abraham |
| 1861-1865 | Reverend Isahak T. Ambarch |
| 1866-1869 | Reverend Gregory N. Arratoon |
| 1869-1873 | Reverend David Nahapiet |
| 1873-1877 | Reverend Cyril T. Owen |
| 1878-1882 | Reverend Gregory Marcar |
| 1883-1886 | Reverend Basil G. Gasper |
| 1887-1889 | Reverend Mackertich Simon |
| 1889-1894 | Reverend Gasper Simon |
| 1895-1899 | Reverend Manuel J. Bashkoom |
| 1899-1903 | Reverend Pogose Gregory |
| 1903-1907 | Reverend Sarkies Gregory |
| 1908-1912 | Reverend Varthanes Minas |
| 1912-1913 | Reverend Basil G. Gasper |
| 1914-1919 | Reverend Sarkies T. Sarkies |
| 1920-1924 | Reverend Verthanes Nazareth |
| 1925-1928 | Reverend Verthanes M. Mansoor |
| 1928-1934 | Reverend Nerses S. David |
| 1935-1935 | Reverend Verthanes M. Mansoor (sick) |
| 1937-1938 | Reverend Mesrope Mirzaian |
| 1940-1947 | Reverend Bagrat S. David |
| 1947-1952 | Reverend Vahan M. Ghasakhanian |
| 1953-1954 | Reverend Manaseh Mansoorian |
| 1956-1957 | Reverend A. Edgarian |
1876 – Official visit by Archbishop Ter Gregoris
1906-07 – Official visit by Archbishop Ter Sahak Ayvatian
1917 – To collect help for the Armenian refugees from Western Armenia (Turkey), the prelate, Bishop Ter Torgom Gushakian made an official visit
1922 – Second Official visit by Archbishop Ter Sahak Ayvatian
1928 – Second official visit by Bishop Mesrop Magistros Ter Movsisian
1948 – Second Official visit by Bishop Vahan Ter Kostanian*
1958 – Two visits by Bishop T. Poladian
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- Archbishop Gregoris, pictured during his tour of India and South East Asia. Image courtesy of Liz Chater’s private archive
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- In this well protected tomb [lies] the body of a certain priest, the elderly Rev. Stepannos [who] was son of Rev. Harutiwn, a native of Julfa. At the age of eighty-one leaving this world [which is] full of bitterness he turned to the Father full of joy. In the year of the Saviour 1800 and twenty on the 11th of the month of Ghamar in the City called Dacca. Ghamar 11, 1820 = July 29, 1820 (Julian calendar). Image courtesy of Liz Chater’s private archive.
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- Archbishop Kostanian pictured here in Calcutta with Reverend Father Aramais Mirzaian. The Archbishop also visited the Armenian Church and community in Dacca. Image courtesy of Liz Chater’s private archive.
Prior to the above mentioned names, the Armenian church in Dacca was served by Ter Stephanos Ter Harutiwn, who is buried in the church and bears the inscription of the year 1820 (left is his tombstone). There were also visits by Bishop Poghose from Etchmiadzin in 1854 and Rev Hovseph from Julfa in 1824, who are also both buried in the southern part of the church. This list was copied from a previous list, as is, by Michael Gasparian. 1958, in Dacca”
*Archbishop Vahan Kostanian was the Primate of the India-Iran Diocese from 1945 to 1952. He came to India in 1948 on the instructions of the Holy See to negotiate with newly independent state of India the outstanding remittances from the Masseh Babajan Trust that were due to the Armenians of New Nakihichevan (Doni Rostov). His translator at the Indian courts was Mr Jordan, a local Calcutta Armenian businessman. The Archbishop was not exiled neither was he evicted. In 1952 he returned to the Holy See to preside over the elections of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Bishop Vasken Baljian was elected Catholicos, taking the name Vasken I. Archbishop Vahan Kostanian stayed on in the Holy See.”
*Narrative courtesy of Jude Galstaun.