15/04/2026
Pan-Orthodox Solidarity Marks 190th Anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Singapore
OCP News Service - 02/04/2026
SINGAPORE — The oldest Christian church in Singapore, the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, celebrated the 190th anniversary of its foundation with a three-day jubilee (March 26–28) that served as a profound manifestation of pan-Orthodox unity and ecumenical witness in the Far East.
The celebrations were presided over by His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand and Pontifical Legate to India and the Far East, accompanied by a delegation of pilgrims and diocesan officials.
Restoration of Heritage and Community Growth
The jubilee commenced on March 26 with the blessing of a newly constructed community center, designed to bolster the spiritual and social life of the local Armenian community. In a deeply symbolic gesture, Bishop Vardan presided over the blessing of five historical silver liturgical items. These artifacts, which had been preserved at the Diocesan Centre for safekeeping, were officially returned to the Singapore Church by order of His Grace to be housed in the Church Museum.
Additionally, pilgrims from Australia donated new church ornaments, including candlesticks and Jajanch (monstrance-style liturgical fans), which were consecrated for use in the sanctuary.
A Global Gathering of the Diaspora
On March 27, a formal banquet brought together 110 Armenians representing 14 different countries. Bishop Vardan commended the resilience of the Singaporean Armenian community—one of the smallest but most historically significant branches of the diaspora—noting that their stewardship of the 190-year-old landmark continues to bear witness to the Armenian faith in Asia.
The Pan-Orthodox Liturgy: A 'Voghchouyn' of Unity
The spiritual climax of the celebrations occurred on Saturday, March 28, during the Holy and Immortal Liturgy. The service transformed into a high-profile ecumenical event, attended by a distinguished array of prelates from the broader Orthodox and Christian families:
Greek Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Constantine (Patriarchate of Constantinople).
Russian Orthodox Church: His Eminence Metropolitan Sergius of Singapore and Southeast Asia, Patriarchal Exarch for Southeast Asia, and His Grace Bishop Pitirim of Jakarta, Vicar of the Singapore Diocese.
Coptic Orthodox Church: The Spiritual Pastor of the local Coptic community.
Catholic Church: Monsignor Petros, Chancellor of the Dicastery and Responsible for Ecumenical Relations.
During the Liturgy, before the Voghchouyn (The Kiss of Peace), Bishop Vardan delivered a sermon on the steadfastness of the Church. In a rare display of liturgical fraternity, he invited the visiting Orthodox Metropolitans and the Coptic pastor to join him in a collective prayer for the stability of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. The Voghchouyn then served as a physical transmission of Christ’s presence among the diverse clergy and faithful.
The jubilee concluded with a Hokehankist (Requiem Service) for the founders of the church, honoring the legacy of those who established the Armenian presence in Singapore in 1836.
Source: OCP News Service, Armenian Apostolic Church Of St Gregory The Illuminator Singapore and The Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
