H. Con. Res. 139 Agreed to May 25, 2001

One Hundred Seventh Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE FIRST SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,

the third day of January, two thousand and one

Concurrent Resolution

Whereas the Armenian people have lived in their homeland for

more than 3,000 years and created a unique civilization;

Whereas two of Jesus Christ’s own disciples, Saint Thaddeus and

Saint Bartholomew, introduced Christianity in Armenia and were

the original founders of the Armenian Church;

Whereas in 301 A.D., Saint Gregory the Illuminator Christianized

the entire country of Armenia, was consecrated the first

Catholicos of Armenia, and baptized King Drtad of Armenia as

a Christian;

Whereas in 301 A.D., King Drtad declared Christianity to be the

official religion of Armenia, making it the first Christian state

in the world;

Whereas Armenian Church leaders opened schools, cared for the

sick and needy, and created alphabets for Armenia and Georgia

to make the Scriptures more accessible to the people;

Whereas Armenians’ devotion to God led them to create distinctive

styles of manuscript illumination, architecture, sculpture, and

textiles, that are recognized as masterpieces of Christian art

and as major contributions to world art;

Whereas the Armenian Church has persevered in its faith throughout the past 17 centuries in cultures that were hospitable to

it and others that were hostile;

Whereas the Armenian Church actively participates in ecumenical

bodies and movements, uniting Christians of all denominations

world-wide;

Whereas more than 100 communities throughout the United States

will celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity in Armenia with special worship and ecumenical services;

Whereas in celebration of the 1700th anniversary, His Holiness

Karekin II will visit the United States;

Whereas the 1700th anniversary is an appropriate occasion to celebrate the ideals and values shared by the people of the United

States, the people of Armenia, and the Armenian Church in

America;

Whereas representatives of the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim

faiths, including representatives of the Armenian Church, the

National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the National

Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., will celebrate an

ecumenical prayer service on May 30, 2001, at the Catholic
H. Con. Res. 139—2

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary;

Whereas the Armenian Church, the National Conference of Catholic

Bishops, and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the

U.S.A. have chosen the theme ‘‘Walking Together in the Light

of Our Lord’’ as the message to embrace the ecumenical spirit

of brotherhood on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary; and

Whereas the Armenian Church has established parishes throughout

the United States and has contributed to the quality of religious

life in this Nation: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress—

(1) congratulates the Republic of Armenia on the occasion

of the 1700th anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity

in Armenia;

(2) welcomes His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch

and Catholicos of All Armenians, on his visit to the United

States; and

(3) joins with the people of Armenia, the Armenian Church

in America, and His Holiness Karekin II in celebrating the

ideals and values they share with the people of the United

States.

Attest:

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate.