Revoke the illegal 99-year lease of the Cows' Garden - Armenian Garden of Jerusalem
Revoke the illegal 99-year lease of the Cows' Garden - Armenian Garden of Jerusalem
The Issue
Back in July 2021, the historical Armenian Garden known as the Cows' Garden (Goverou Bardez) was leased for 99 years to an Australian Jewish Businessman. The illegal lease was signed by Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, defrocked Fr. Baret Yeretzian and Archbishop Sevan Gharibian. The illegal lease was signed without the consent of the Holy Synod and the General Assembly of the St. James Brotherhood.
The scandalous lease therefore violated the constitution of the Patriarchate which prohibits leases for 99 years. The historical Armenian Garden is located in the southwest corner of the Armenian Quarter and on the highest point in the Old City of Jerusalem. The process of buying the land started during the 13th century thanks to the generous donations of the Armenian nation to the Armenian Patriarchate.
More than 11500 square meters were leased illegally, 25% of the Armenian Quarter is in jeopardy.
Next to the land you can find the St. James Armenian Convent, Mardigian Museum, the Armenian Seminary and houses of Armenian families. A month ago, the Jerusalemite Armenian Community discovered that the areas surrounding the Armenian Garden are included in the deal as well. The houses of Armenian families, the events hall of the Armenian Seminary and other parts are included in the scandalous deal.
By this petition we call upon the Patriarchate to revoke immediately the illegal deal in order to protect the 2000 year old uninterrupted Armenian presence in Jerusalem.
For more information read the following articles:
BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-65876162
The Media Line: https://themedialine.org/top-stories/exclusive-priest-says-he-became-scapegoat-for-controversial-armenian-land-deal/
Keghart.org: https://keghart.org/scandal-at-the-armenian-patriarchate-of-jerusalem/
Jerusalem Story: https://www.jerusalemstory.com/en/article/questionable-secret-land-lease-deal-threatens-historic-armenian-community-land-and-property
Milih-iIl-Ard: https://milhilard.org/armenian-patriarch-defroks-barett-yeretsian/
CivilNet covering the sale of Armenian lands in the Armenian Quarter:
2,170
The Issue
Back in July 2021, the historical Armenian Garden known as the Cows' Garden (Goverou Bardez) was leased for 99 years to an Australian Jewish Businessman. The illegal lease was signed by Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, defrocked Fr. Baret Yeretzian and Archbishop Sevan Gharibian. The illegal lease was signed without the consent of the Holy Synod and the General Assembly of the St. James Brotherhood.
The scandalous lease therefore violated the constitution of the Patriarchate which prohibits leases for 99 years. The historical Armenian Garden is located in the southwest corner of the Armenian Quarter and on the highest point in the Old City of Jerusalem. The process of buying the land started during the 13th century thanks to the generous donations of the Armenian nation to the Armenian Patriarchate.
More than 11500 square meters were leased illegally, 25% of the Armenian Quarter is in jeopardy.
Next to the land you can find the St. James Armenian Convent, Mardigian Museum, the Armenian Seminary and houses of Armenian families. A month ago, the Jerusalemite Armenian Community discovered that the areas surrounding the Armenian Garden are included in the deal as well. The houses of Armenian families, the events hall of the Armenian Seminary and other parts are included in the scandalous deal.
By this petition we call upon the Patriarchate to revoke immediately the illegal deal in order to protect the 2000 year old uninterrupted Armenian presence in Jerusalem.
For more information read the following articles:
BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-65876162
The Media Line: https://themedialine.org/top-stories/exclusive-priest-says-he-became-scapegoat-for-controversial-armenian-land-deal/
Keghart.org: https://keghart.org/scandal-at-the-armenian-patriarchate-of-jerusalem/
Jerusalem Story: https://www.jerusalemstory.com/en/article/questionable-secret-land-lease-deal-threatens-historic-armenian-community-land-and-property
Milih-iIl-Ard: https://milhilard.org/armenian-patriarch-defroks-barett-yeretsian/
CivilNet covering the sale of Armenian lands in the Armenian Quarter:
2,170
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on June 20, 2023