ANTELIAS, Lebanon—The attorney representing the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia on Tuesday officially filed a lawsuit in the Turkish Constitutional Court to regain ownership of the historic headquarters of the Church, which includes the Catholicosate, the monastery and cathedral of St. Sophia, a major Armenian Christian holy site located in the Sis (currently Kozan), in south-central Turkey.
This site was confiscated by the Turkish Government following the Genocide of 1915 in which an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed or deported by the Ottoman Empire.
Convinced that recognition of the Genocide and compensation should go together, His Holiness Aram I, on the year of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, has filed the lawsuit at the Turkish, thus setting a precedent for the descendants of the martyrs to reclaim their family belongings.
On Wednesday, April 29th, Armenian Church leaders will host a press conference at the National Press Club to discuss the launch of the legal action. Another press conference is scheduled to be held in Geneva in the coming weeks.
Participating in the press conference will be Eastern Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan; Payam Akhavan, former UN prosecutor at The Hague and lead international counsel in this case; Cem Sofuogleu, Turkish human rights lawyer and local counsel in this case; Teny Pirri-Simonian, Senior Advisor to the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia; and Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America.
“The restoration of the Catholicosate would represent an act of justice, a first step toward the legal return of the Armenian Church and its faithful to their lawful place in their rightful homeland, and a meaningful milestone in the Armenian nation’s journey toward a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide,” said Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
Since 2012, Aram I has presided over a committee of Turkish and international human rights lawyers, preparing the current litigation. The committee will explain the lawsuit through two press conferences.
The Catholicosate of Cilicia settled in Sis, the former capital of the Cilician Kindgom, in1295, after moving from several places due to the political uncertainties in the region. In 1921, following the 1915 Genocide, the Ottoman authorities ordered Catholicos Sahak II Khabayan and the clergy to vacate the location within two days. The Catholicos and the clergy left the monastery in Sis, taking with them very few objects, such as the basin pot for the preparation of holy chrism (muron), some manuscripts and liturgical items. After moving between Jerusalem, Aleppo, Damascus and Cyprus, in 1930 the Catholicosate settled in Antelias.
This is a moot case, Turkey has absolutely no argument to present. The court proceedings are mere formalities, unless political motives interfere. International supervision including UNESCO must be part of the litigation.
It truly has begun. Thank you Your Holiness. This is a landmark moment for the healing to begin for Armenians and the Armenian Church.
sounds like going to Lions Denn and asking for Tenderloin Steak
As a human rights lawyer I’ve always strived for justice even more so when the odds have been stacked up against my clients and it has all seemed completely impossible to achieve any legal redress..
With most clients it’s not about a reward of financial compensation, it’s entirely the grant of protection to enjoy a human right and dignity that they deserve. And in Genocide claims fpr reparations it’s the same.
It is a strive for dignity that was taken away by those that committed crimes against our ancestors. There should not be legal barrier preventing those who still suffer from the consequences of crimes against humanity committed against their ancestors from claiming such reparations.
Prince Abdul Mecid Heir-Apparent to the Ottoman Throne, during an interview…
“I refer to those awful massacres. They are the greatest stain that has ever disgraced our nation and race. They were entirely the work of Talat and Enver. I heard some days before they began that they were intended. I went to Istanbul and insisted on seeing Enver. I asked him if it was true that they intended to recommence the massacres which had been our shame and disgrace under Abdul Hamid. The only reply I could get from him was: ‘It is decided. It is the program.’”
I am proud of your work, we shall overcome all things in CHRIST OWER LORD.
Another step in the right direction! The genocide centenary has opened up a whole new chapter in our long history of suffering and injustice. Enough is enough! let us re- claim what is rightfully ours using all the legal means at our disposal. We are no longer the poor “starving” Armenians as portrayed in the western media of the early 1900’s. So let’s get on with it! There has never been a better or more opportune time for us. “Meeatsek Hayer” (Armenians unite!)
United States recognize the Armenian Genocide. Enough of supporting the Genocidal Turkey.