Patriarch's Pledge: 'All that is Armenian, Will Forever Be!' in Cows’ Garden Righteous Struggle

The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, made an unexpected visit on Friday to the barricaded Cows’ Garden, offering his support to the members of the Save The ArQ Movement during an ongoing moral and legal struggle.

During his visit, the Patriarch devoted his time to engage with Armenian Youth, patiently responding to a multitude of questions from concerned residents. The community members expressed unequivocal solidarity and steadfast support for the Patriarch's initiative to annul the controversial deal associated with the Cows’ Garden.'

Amidst words of encouragement and a heartfelt prayer, the Patriarch imparted blessings upon the youth, emphasizing before his departure, "All that is Armenian, will remain Armenian!"

The focal point of contention revolves around a prized piece of land within the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. A legal dispute between the Armenian community and an Australian-Israeli developer seeking to construct a luxury hotel complex on the property has ignited tensions in recent weeks.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced the cancellation of an agreement signed on August 7, 2021, regarding the Armenian Gardens in the Old City. The Patriarchate conveyed this decision to Xana Gardens Ltd. through a letter dated October 26, 2023, effectively annulling the prior arrangement.

The deal, earlier agreed upon by the Armenian Patriarchate, involved allocating up to 25% of the quarter to a commercial entity for a 99-year lease, a move vehemently contested by the Save The ArQ Movement and numerous concerned Armenian community members.

The visit by Archbishop Nourhan Manougian to the barricaded Cows’ Garden stands as a testament to the unwavering determination of the Armenian community to safeguard their historical and cultural heritage.