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AZG Armenian Daily #044, 10/03/2007
Religious Controversies
ADDRESS OF THE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem addressed the faithful of the
Armenian church on February 21, 2007 with the following message"
"Dear Faithful of the Armenian Church,
As the Armenian Community in Jerusalem prepares for Holy Week and the
Holy Fire Ceremony that takes place on Saturday of Holy Week (April 7,
2007), within the Tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre, we ask for your help in preserving the centuries-old Status
Quo rights of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, represented
by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
In 2003, conflict arose with the Greek Orthodox Church over this
Ceremony. They demanded a deviation from the Status Quo procedures
that give the Armenian Patriarch or his representative the right to
enter the Holy Tomb together. Appeals to the Israeli Government since
that time, including legal recourse, the rendering of expert testimony
and evidence, and negotiation with the Greek Orthodox Church have not
produced a clear decision. The Status Quo procedures for the Holy
Places have been in existence for hundreds of years and are anchored
in the Ottoman period.
We urge all of our Armenian brothers and sisters around the world to
e-mail and/or fax the petition below in their name, or in the name of
an organization, to the Ministers of the Israeli Government listed
below, or to their local Israeli Embassy or Consulate. Ask that this
issue be resolved before the day of the Holy Fire Ceremony on April 7,
2007, so that the centuries-old Status Quo rights of the Armenian
Orthodox Church in Jerusalem may be maintained. Your participation is
crucial."
The following message was sent to the Representatives of the Israeli
Government:
"Since 2003, there has been conflict between the Armenian Orthodox and
the Greek Orthodox Patriarchates over the Holy Fire Ceremony held in
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday of Easter Week. The
Greek Patriarchate demanded a deviation from the Status Quo procedures
that gives the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem or his representative
the right to enter the Holy Tomb together. Appeals to the Israeli
Government since that time, including legal recourse, the rendering of
expert testimony and evidence, and negotiation with the Greek Orthodox
Church have not produced a clear decision. The Status Quo procedures
for the Holy Places have been in existence for hundreds of years and
are anchored in the Ottoman period.
This year, the Holy Fire Ceremony in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
is on April 7, 2007, I urge the Israeli Government to expeditiously
restore the centuries-old Status Quo rights of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem as it was prior to 2003.
Divan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem"
Religious Controversies
ADDRESS OF THE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem addressed the faithful of the
Armenian church on February 21, 2007 with the following message"
"Dear Faithful of the Armenian Church,
As the Armenian Community in Jerusalem prepares for Holy Week and the
Holy Fire Ceremony that takes place on Saturday of Holy Week (April 7,
2007), within the Tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre, we ask for your help in preserving the centuries-old Status
Quo rights of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, represented
by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
In 2003, conflict arose with the Greek Orthodox Church over this
Ceremony. They demanded a deviation from the Status Quo procedures
that give the Armenian Patriarch or his representative the right to
enter the Holy Tomb together. Appeals to the Israeli Government since
that time, including legal recourse, the rendering of expert testimony
and evidence, and negotiation with the Greek Orthodox Church have not
produced a clear decision. The Status Quo procedures for the Holy
Places have been in existence for hundreds of years and are anchored
in the Ottoman period.
We urge all of our Armenian brothers and sisters around the world to
e-mail and/or fax the petition below in their name, or in the name of
an organization, to the Ministers of the Israeli Government listed
below, or to their local Israeli Embassy or Consulate. Ask that this
issue be resolved before the day of the Holy Fire Ceremony on April 7,
2007, so that the centuries-old Status Quo rights of the Armenian
Orthodox Church in Jerusalem may be maintained. Your participation is
crucial."
The following message was sent to the Representatives of the Israeli
Government:
"Since 2003, there has been conflict between the Armenian Orthodox and
the Greek Orthodox Patriarchates over the Holy Fire Ceremony held in
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday of Easter Week. The
Greek Patriarchate demanded a deviation from the Status Quo procedures
that gives the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem or his representative
the right to enter the Holy Tomb together. Appeals to the Israeli
Government since that time, including legal recourse, the rendering of
expert testimony and evidence, and negotiation with the Greek Orthodox
Church have not produced a clear decision. The Status Quo procedures
for the Holy Places have been in existence for hundreds of years and
are anchored in the Ottoman period.
This year, the Holy Fire Ceremony in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
is on April 7, 2007, I urge the Israeli Government to expeditiously
restore the centuries-old Status Quo rights of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem as it was prior to 2003.
Divan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem"