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 through-
out 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 Christi-
anity 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 cele-
brate 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 concur-
ring), 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.