IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 139

Welcoming His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of

All Armenians, on his visit to the United States and commemorating

the 1700th anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity in Armenia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 21, 2001

Mr. WICKER submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Welcoming His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and

Catholicos of All Armenians, on his visit to the United

States and commemorating the 1700th anniversary of

the acceptance of Christianity in Armenia.

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
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•HCON 139 IH

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;
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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 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

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) congratulates the Republic of Armenia on

4 the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the ac5 ceptance of Christianity in Armenia;

6 (2) welcomes His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme

7 Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on his

8 visit to the United States; and

9 (3) joins with the people of Armenia, the Arme10 nian Church in America, and His Holiness Karekin
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1 II in celebrating the ideals and values they share

2 with the people of the United States.

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