Patriarchs urge Turkey to return Armenian churches
On the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, have issued a joint statement, calling on Turkey to return the confiscated Armenian churches and church estates.
"In 2015, the Armenian around the world will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire. In 1915, more than 1.5 million Armenians died in the Ottoman-era massacres and deportations, the first Genocide of the 20th century. The survivors of the genocide found shelter in Eastern Armenia (the present-day Republic of Armenia), Lebanon and other Arab countries, and other corners of the world.
The Genocide victims who lived under the jurisdiction of the Ottoman Empire in Western Armenia, Cilicia, and other regions of the Ottoman Empire, along with their own personal estates, also lost estates owned by the church - sanctuaries and monasteries; religious, educational and charitable institutional centers, treasures of cultural and religious value - cross-stones (khachkars), illuminated manuscripts, icons and other items of value; and property that Turkey privatized under the name of "forlorn estate".
Ninety-eight years after the Genocide, the present-day Turkish state, as the legal successor of the Ottoman Empire, not only denies the genocide perpetrated and committed by its predecessors, but also continues pursuing its anti-Armenian policies, still keeping the confiscated church estates and properties, religious and cultural treasures of the Armenian nation.
Hence, we call on the Republic of Turkey;
1. to recognize the Armenian Genocide;
2. to provide a full compensation to the Armenians who suffered losses and the violation of human and national rights;
3. to immediately return the Armenian churches, monasteries, church properties, and spiritual and cultural treasures, to the Armenian people as their rightful owner.
Remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide with prayers, we condemn any violation against God-given life, human dignity and the peaceful coexistence of people "For God is not the God of discord, but of peace " (Corinthians 14.33), and has called on people for love, solidarity and cooperation.
We express out gratitude to all nations and peoples who gave shelter to the Genocide survivors, and showed compassion and brotherly love for the dispersed and exiled Armenians.
The Armenian nation will also be eternally grateful to all the world countries that have condemned and officially recognized the heinous crime against humanity.
On the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the Genocide, we must exert all our efforts to meet the demands of the Armenian nation for the sake of justice and the protection of the rights of the Armenian people."
