December 23, 2009 - 11:37 AMT
Armenian Church in Egypt one of the richest on the globe
Being the only in entire Africa, the Egyptian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church is rather Patriarchate than Diocese.
"Presently, some 3 thousand Armenians live in Cairo and Alexandria. There are also Armenians in Sudan, Ethiopia and Republic of South Africa. The history of the Armenian community of Ethiopia is amusing. Ethiopian King Haile Selassie once heard a chorus of Armenian orphans in Turkey. He brought them to Addis Ababa and gave them dwelling and education. These orphans based the Armenian community which now numbers some 100 people," head of the AAC Egyptian Diocese, His Grace Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter on Cairo.
His Grace said the Armenian community is the only registered as national minority in Egypt and the Armenian Church in Egypt is one of the richest on the globe.
He also reminded that Nubar Nubaryan Pasha, the first prime minister and foreign minister of Egypt, was of Armenian descent and was buried at the Armenian cemetery in Heliopolis. His son, Boghos Nubar Pasha was the founder of Armenian General Benevolent Union.