WCC NEWS: Young Armenians with deep roots in Jerusalem work to preserve their land

Hagop Digernezian, with other young Armenians from Jerusalem, has just returned from a global US tour that included the cities of New York, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, DC. He took time to describe their 10 days of raising awareness to protect Armenian land in Jerusalem. People go about their day near the Jaffa gate, one of the entry points connecting to the Armenian quarter of the Jerusalem old city. File Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 20 March 2025 An Israeli settler group has been trying to take over land at the entrance of the Armenian Patriarchate inside Jerusalem’s Old City, known as Cow’s Garden – a piece of land covering 13% of the Armenian quarter, which in turn makes up 14% of the Old City as a whole – and the Armenian community has been steadfast in protecting the property.  “We visited Armenian and non-Armenian communities,” said Digernezian. “It was a very successful tour.” Most people with whom they met—which included community leaders, politicians, and churches—were aware of the situation for Armenians in Jerusalem because the media has increased coverage of the issue, particularly during the past couple of years.  “Some staffers, congressional representatives, or senators were aware of the issue but there was a good opportunity to share more details,” said Digernezian. “The Armenian communities are raising awareness but also raising funds to pay expenses of legal teams here in Jerusalem.” Digernezian and his team found staffers, senators, and congressional representatives ready to help by appealing to the US State Department and to ambassadors. Already, he added, there have been good developments in the legal case to retain Armenian land in Jerusalem. “As Armenians, we were educated in schools, communities, and churches to stand for our rights, traditions, and culture,” he said. “We have had an uninterrupted presence in Jerusalem for centuries.” Digernezian’s family has served the Armenian Patriarchate for more than 70 years.  “I couldn’t stay silent; my roots run deep in Jerusalem and especially in the Armenian Quarter.”  He added: “Only through legal action can we maintain our land to survive—so this is what we did. We’re getting ready for a court session in September, and we are working to finalize the strategy,” he said. “We have to continue working on it.” The end goal is the return of the land to its original owners.  “I am optimistic, despite the struggle and the cost in different prices whether it’s an emotional, physical, or financial toll,” he said.  “You always have to be confident, optimistic, and hopeful.”  Working through legal systems The meetings in the US for the young team were scheduled by the Armenian National Committee of America, which advocates for the rights of Armenians. “Everything was planned and scheduled,” said Digernezian. “Our specific ask was to advocate for the rights of not only the Armenian community but the Christian communities in Jerusalem, and also we asked from the different stakeholders on Capitol Hill to be engaged with the Israeli authorities and uphold the property rights of Christian communities in Jerusalem.” The team strongly believes this issue should be solved within the legal systems. “Know the Armenian community is a law-abiding community and this issue should be solved within the framework of the legal system,” he said.  The team continues to work with the Armenian National Committee of America, and also attended meetings at the UN with French, Canadian, and Armenian delegations with the hope of raising the issue within the UN committees.  “The Armenian Patriarchate has been in Jerusalem for 1,600 years,” said Digernezian. “Our presence in Jerusalem dates back to the fourth century in the places where Christ was born and Christ was crucified. It’s something to be proud of.” Digernezian, who is 24, regularly thinks about his ancestors and why, today, he is so deeply rooted in the Armenian quarter in Jerusalem. “It’s because they were sacrificing,” he said. “The Armenians are stakeholders in the Jerusalem Status Quo arrangement, which is important not only for Christians but all religions.” Damaging the Armenian presence damages Jerusalem as a mosaic for all people, no matter what religion they are, Digernezian added. Digernezian believes that the legal case is a solid one. “Our arguments are very clear,” he said. “What we will be presenting in court is very solid and very strong.” He remains hopeful that the issue will be solved in a fair, transparent way within the legal system, ensuring the rights of future generations. “Our ask and our hope is that all churches—and especially the World Council of Churches and all other communities—would be more active for the preservation of Christian communities in Jerusalem—where everything started,” he said. “Our hope is that they will follow closely on all levels what is happening.”  Digernezian recalled the solidarity visit to Cow’s Garden by Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), back in February 2024. Solidarity visits have also been taking place by the accompaniers from the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, whom Digernezian describes as “wonderful people.” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland