Armenians in Singapore

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The Armenians in Singapore, who numbered as many as 100 families at their peak in the 1880s, have now moved on or become part of the wider Singapore community. The Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator in Armenian Street remains today.

By the 18th century, Armenian communities had established themselves in India, particularly Kolkata, Myanmar, the Malay Peninsula (particularly Penang and Malacca), and Java. Armenian trading firms such as the Aristarkies Sarkies Company (1820-1841), Apcar & Stephens Company (1826-1845) and Mackertich M. Moses Company (1821-1845) were prominent in Singapore's economy. By the 1830s, Armenian merchants began investing in land. Built in 1835, in March 1836 the Church of St Gregory the Illuminator was consecrated, making it the first church in Singapore.

The 1931 census showed 81 Armenians. Many of the Armenians, as British loyalists, were interned during World War II. By the 1950s, much of the local Armenian community had emigrated to Australia or become part of the larger communities in Singapore. However, during the Feast of the Epiphany, the flags of Singapore and the Republic of Armenia are raised at the Armenian church.

Contents 1 Notable Armenians 2 See also 3 References 4 External Links

[edit] Notable Armenians

Catchick Moses (Movessian) (1812-1895), was a co-founder of the Straits Times, which was to become the national English newspaper, in 1845. He sold the paper a year later because it was unprofitable. Catchik Moses died in 1852.

The Sarkies brothers (Martin, Arshak, Aviet and Tigran) founded the Raffles Hotel and several other hotels in Southeast Asia

Agnes Joaquim, after whom the Singpore National Flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim is named. Agnes Joaquim was a horticulturist who, in 1893, discovered Singapore's first hybrid orchid that today bears her name, Vanda Miss Joaquim. In 1981, it was designated Singapore's national flower. She died in 1899, at the age of 44.

[edit] See also

• Armenian Church, Singapore

[edit] References

Nadia H Wright, Respected citizens: The history of Armenians in Singapore and Malaysia (Melbourne: Amassia Publishing, 2003)

[edit] External Links

• Ammasia Publishing
• The Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator