The Matter of the Future of the Armenian Church of Singapore Resolved
6/15/02

New York, NY - The future of the Armenian Church of Singapore appears to be resolved, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Bob Kevorkian of Bangkok, Thailand.

After may years of uncertainty and doubts that the ownership of the historic church may be lost for Armenians, simply because there were not enough Armenians in the peninsular city to claim continued ownership of the church, situated on prime property, the matter has been resolved in the Armenians' favor.

The good news of the status of the Singappore Church was convyed by Mr. Bob "Norair" Kevorkian, head of one of the largest construction firms in Bangkok. Mr. Kevorkian was in New York City this past weekend and was among a large contingent of prominent Armenians from Europe and the Middle East to attend the Third Anniversary of the passing of His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians of blessed memory.

Through Mr. Kevorkian's efforts, it was discovered that, contrary to past belief, there are close to 40 Armenians living in Singapore at the present. Among the tiny Armenian community are some 20 Armenian families and some 20 single indviduals, who have settled down in that city. Among the Armenians of Singapore are Armenians from the United States, Great Britain and Australia, who have moved to Singapore for various reasons, mostly transferred there by the parent companies for which they work.

Mr. Kevorkian, as instructed by His Holiness Karekin II, initiated a lawsuit to reclaim ownership of the church. And, after a period of 18 months of litigation, the Court ruled that the Armenian community was the rightful owner of the church. Mr. Kevorkian heads a three-man trustee committee, which will represent the church in the name of the Armenian people and the Armenian Church. He discovered that one does not have to be a resident of Singapore to represent the Armenian Church, as he himself lives in Bangkok.

Mr. Kevorkian feels that the Singapore church will remain in Armenian hands for another 90 years, based on a 99-year lease granted to the property. He is presently waiting for instructions from Etchmiadzin to embark on a renovation of the church and the adjacent garden, which have been left unattended for a number of years. Mr. Kevorkian wants to return the church to its former glory and eventually hold monthly church services, when Etchmiadzin can provide a priest.

Mr. Kevorkian has also completed a directory of Armenians who live in the Far East. The directory consists of some 120 Armenians living in various countries in the Far East.

E.K.B., The Armenian Reporter International, 23.