Surp Karapet Armenian Church in Maastricht, Holland, secures ownership of its building

The Armenian Apostolic Church Surp Karapet in Maastricht has taken a significant step in its history with the official signing of the deed of purchase of its church building. The event is being hailed as a historic milestone for the Armenian community in the province of Limburg.

The deed was signed on behalf of the Surp Karapet Church by Chairman Levon Sarkis. Representing the seller, the Roman Catholic Parish of Christus Hemelvaart, was Very Reverend Pastor René Schols.

Surp Karapet, the first Armenian church in Limburg, was consecrated on January 26, 2013, by His Eminence Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, head of the Diocese of Paris, with the blessing of His Excellency Bishop Frans Wiertz of the Diocese of Roermond. Since its consecration, the church has served as a vital spiritual and cultural center for the local Armenian community.

In a statement, Chairman Levon Sarkis esaid: “We thank God for this extraordinary milestone and ask for His blessing over the future of our church. May the Surp Karapet Church be a source of faith, hope, and love – not only for the Armenian community, but for all who seek a spiritual home here.”

Special thanks were extended to donors, the parish councils, the Diocese of Roermond, Bishop Ron van den Hout, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Dean John Dautzenberg, Pastor René Schols, and Mr. Antoine C.J. Huenges Wajer for their support and trust throughout the process.

The church board also issued a call to the wider community to contribute financially so that the Surp Karapet Church may be maintained, strengthened, and passed on as a “House of God” to future generations.