107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 139
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the Armenian people have lived in their homeland
for more than 3,000 years and created a unique civiliza-
tion;
Whereas two of Jesus Christ’s own disciples, Saint Thaddeus
and Saint Bartholomew, introduced Christianity in Arme-
nia and were the original founders of the Armenian
Church;
•HCON 139 EH
Whereas in 301 A.D., Saint Gregory the Illuminator Chris-
tianized 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 Chris-
tian 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 dis-
tinctive styles of manuscript illumination, architecture,
sculpture, and textiles, that are recognized as master-
pieces 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 ecu-
menical 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 ac-
ceptance of Christianity in Armenia with special worship
and ecumenical services;
Whereas in celebration of the 1700th anniversary, His Holi-
ness 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
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the United States, the people of Armenia, and the Arme-
nian Church in America;
Whereas representatives of the Christian, Jewish, and Mus-
lim 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 occa-
sion 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 ac-
ceptance 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
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(3) joins with the people of Armenia, the Arme-
nian Church in America, and His Holiness Karekin
II in celebrating the ideals and values they share
with the people of the United States.
Passed the House of Representatives May 23, 2001.
Attest:
Clerk.