[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 139 Received in Senate (RDS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 139


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 24, 2001

                                Received

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Welcoming His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of 
All Armenians, on his visit to the United States and commemorating the 
    1700th anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity in Armenia.

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 throughout 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 Christianity 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 celebrate 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 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 concurring), 
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.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 23, 2001.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.