Armenians in Singapore
Encyclopedia
The Armenians in Singapore, who numbered around 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
on Armenian Street, the first church ever built in Singapore, 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.
, in 1845. He sold the paper a year later because it was unprofitable. Catchik Moses died in 1895.
The Sarkies brothers
(Martin, Arshak, Aviet and Tigran) founded the Raffles Hotel
and several other hotels in Southeast Asia
Agnes Joaquim was born in Singapore, on 7th April 1854. As the eldest daughter in her family, Agnes helped her mother raise her 10 siblings after her father died.
She never married, dividing her time between the Armenian Church of St Gregory on Hill Street, and her horticulture work in her garden in Tanjong Pagar. In 1899 at a flower show, Agnes unveiled the Vanda Miss Joaquim
for the first time, and won the $12 first prize for her flower.
As she was suffering from cancer at that time, Agnes died 3 months later at the same year, at the age of 44. In 1981, the Vanda Miss Joaquim was designated Singapore's national flower.
Her tombstone stands in the Armenian Church in Singapore and reads: In loving memory of Agnes, eldest Daughter of the late Parsick Joaquim, Born 7th April 1854 - Died 2nd July 1899,'Let her own works praise her. Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy Cross I cling'
Armenian expatriate
s in Singapore include Ashot Nadanian
, who has coached the Singapore National Chess
Team since 2005 and Gevorg Sargsyan
, conductor
of Singapore Camerata Chamber Orchestra and Tanglewood Music School since 2008.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
community. The Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
of St Gregory the Illuminator
Gregory the Illuminator
Saint Gregory the Illuminator or Saint Gregory the Enlightener is the patron saint and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church...
on Armenian Street, the first church ever built in Singapore, remains today.
By the 18th century, Armenian communities had established themselves in India
Armenians in India
The association of Armenians with India and the presence of Armenians in India are very old, and there has been a mutual economic and cultural association of Armenians with India for the last several centuries...
(particularly Kolkata
Ethnic communities in Kolkata
Kolkata, though comparatively young compared to the Indian city states like Delhi and Hyderabad, has nevertheless been a melting pot for international and Indian communities, even more so than the upscale and cosmopolitan Bombay and Delhi...
) Myanmar, the Malay Peninsula
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland...
(particularly Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
and Malacca
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
), and Java. Armenian trading firms such as the Aristarkies Sarkies Company (1820-1841), Apcar & Stephens Company
Apcar family
For more than a century the Apcar family was prominent in commerce and industry in India.Aratoon Apcar was the founder of Apcar & Co in 1809 and Senior Member until his death, 54 years later. He came to India in 1795, first to Mumbai and then to Kolkata in 1830...
(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
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. By the 1950s, much of the local Armenian community had emigrated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
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.
Notable Armenians
Catchick Moses (Movessian) (1812-1895), was a co-founder of the Straits Times, which was to become the national English newspaperNewspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, in 1845. He sold the paper a year later because it was unprofitable. Catchik Moses died in 1895.
The Sarkies brothers
Sarkies Brothers
The Sarkies Brothers were a group of brothers of Armenian ethnicity. They created a dynasty that has influence throughout the region.They were best known for founding a chain of luxury hotels throughout Southeast Asia...
(Martin, Arshak, Aviet and Tigran) founded the Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style hotel in Singapore, and one of the world's most famous hotels. The hotel was established by the famous Armenian Sarkies Brothers. Opened in 1887, it was named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles. Managed by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, it is...
and several other hotels in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
Agnes Joaquim was born in Singapore, on 7th April 1854. As the eldest daughter in her family, Agnes helped her mother raise her 10 siblings after her father died.
She never married, dividing her time between the Armenian Church of St Gregory on Hill Street, and her horticulture work in her garden in Tanjong Pagar. In 1899 at a flower show, Agnes unveiled the Vanda Miss Joaquim
Vanda Miss Joaquim
Vanda Miss Joaquim , also known as the Singapore Orchid and the Princess Aloha Orchid is a hybrid orchid cultivar that is Singapore's national flower....
for the first time, and won the $12 first prize for her flower.
As she was suffering from cancer at that time, Agnes died 3 months later at the same year, at the age of 44. In 1981, the Vanda Miss Joaquim was designated Singapore's national flower.
Her tombstone stands in the Armenian Church in Singapore and reads: In loving memory of Agnes, eldest Daughter of the late Parsick Joaquim, Born 7th April 1854 - Died 2nd July 1899,'Let her own works praise her. Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy Cross I cling'
Armenian expatriate
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
s in Singapore include Ashot Nadanian
Ashot Nadanian
Ashot Nadanian is an Armenian chess International Master , chess theoretician and chess coach....
, who has coached the Singapore National Chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
Team since 2005 and Gevorg Sargsyan
Gevorg Sargsyan
Gevorg Sargsyan is an Armenian conductor.Winner of Sir Georg Solti Foundation grant-award for 2006, Gevorg Sargsyan is one of the youngest and most renowned Armenian conductors....
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
of Singapore Camerata Chamber Orchestra and Tanglewood Music School since 2008.