Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Addresses The Conflict With Greek Patriarchate Over Easter

Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem addressed the Christian faithful of the Armenian church on February 21, 2007 with the following message regarding to the conflict with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem over the Easter ceremony in Jerusalem on the Tomb of Christ.

"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