LONGTIME ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM BURIED

The Associated Press
Oct 22 2012

JERUSALEM (AP) – Hundreds of cloaked clergymen have marched through
the narrow alleyways of the Old City of Jerusalem to lay its longtime
Armenian Patriarch to rest.

Torkom Manoogian died Oct. 12 after being hospitalized since January
with cardiac problems. He was 93.

Since his election in 1990, Manoogian led a dwindling following
of Armenians in Jerusalem. One of the four quarters of the Old
City belongs to them. Armenians have a 1,600-year presence in the
city. But a combination of political forces and the draw of a better
life elsewhere have seen their numbers quietly drop below 1,000 people.

Manoogian previously led the Armenian church in the United States
and was outspoken about the 1915 Armenian genocide committed against
his people.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress