According to a statement released by the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholiocs Garegin II has written to Armenian Jerusalem Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, urging him to respond publicly to reports that the Patriarchate has leased a piece of property (Cows’ Garden) to build a hotel.

The Council writes that the news has led to harmful divisions within the Armenian community and damages the reputation of the Armenian Jerusalem Patriarchate.

In his letter, Catholicos Garegin II urges Patriarch Manougian to restore harmony within the St. James Brotherhood.

Earlier this fall, the Armenian press reported that the Patriarchate had leased the land to a foreign developer for 99 years.

The Patriarchate’s Department of Real Estate, in September, reported that a lease had been signed with a fully owned subsidiary of a corporate from the United Arab Emirates and the St. James Brotherhood’s Synod was consulted and gave its explicit blessing.

“His Beatitude the Patriarch, Archbishop Sevan Gharibian and Father Baret Yeretzian, are doing everything possible and spare no effort, to salvage and protect Armenian Properties, as well as to develop them and create and secure solid and steady income to support the Armenian congregation and to maintain and preserve its assets,” reads the Patriarchate’s statement.