Aram I, Archbishop Mardirossian welcome H. Res. 306 adoptionDecember 21, 2011 - 17:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, in separate announcements, welcomed last week’s vote by the House of Representatives on H. Res. 306, urging Turkey to return stolen church property to its rightful owners. A day after the vote, on December 14, in an interview with the Yerevan-based Yerkir Media Television, the Catholicos said: “The House Resolution 306 ‘urging the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties,’ not only challenges Turkey’s failure to respect the Armenian, Greek, Assyrian and Syriac Church properties, but also the freedom of religious prayer and education. This is a major step toward the just solution of the Armenian Genocide.” The Catholicos also thanked the Armenian National Committee of America for its close collaboration with the Catholicosate of Cilicia in the past decades, in advocating for the “just cause of the Armenian people.” While recognizing the important effort of different organizations within the Armenian community toward this end, the pontiff explained that “The U.N. Commission on Human Right has recognized the interests of the victims of violations of International Humanitarian Law in five forms of reparation: Restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, just satisfaction, and guarantee of non-repetition. We should clearly state our demands within the context of IHL. The Catholicosate of Cilicia is organizing an meeting of experts to this effect, to be held in February 2012 in Antelias.” Immediately following the announcement of the House vote, Western Prelate, Archbishop Mardirossian welcomed this effort. “We were overjoyed to learn of the passage of H. Res. 306. This is indeed a monumental victory not only for the Armenian people but for all those who value religious freedom, equality, and justice. We hopefully anticipate the end of religious and ethnic discrimination and await the day when our sacred sites are returned to their rightful owners, the Armenian people” said Archbishop Mardirossian, Asbarez reported.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village  The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015.Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents.“By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents.The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |
