The houses are all the property of the Patriarchate - and the residents pay virtually no rent, although, unlike St. James residents who are exempt, they do pay municipal taxes. Several Armenian Quarter inhabitants have resorted to taking in lodgers. The Convent authorities close their eyes to the practice. The Patriarchate is entitled to one third of that amount, in cash. Some of the houses in the Armenian Quarter have been inhabited by the same family for generations.
Walls are sometimes three feet thick.
Foundations are pure earth. Sunlight and ventilation are unheard of luxuries. The plaster cakes continually, as the walls shed their whitewash under the ravages of humidity. The houses may be nothing more than dank dungeons, in some cases, but for over a hundred years, Armenians have been born and bred here. The priest may come to bless, but that is the only connection he will have with his parish, except when officiating at a funeral, baptism or marriage ceremony.