El 6 de diciembre de 2024 se firmó en el Ayuntamiento de París un convenio relativo a la catedral "Sainte-Croix-des-Arméniens Catholiques de France" (Santa Cruz de los Armenios Católicos de Francia).
Este acontecimiento, celebrado en la víspera de la ceremonia de apertura de "Notre Dame", adquiere un significado aún mayor al marcar la firma del segundo Acuerdo de Patrocinio para la restauración de la Catedral Sainte-Croix. Este convenio simboliza la continuidad de los esfuerzos destinados a preservar este preciado lugar, que constituye el corazón espiritual y cultural de la Comunidad Armenia de París.
The ceremony brought together Mrs Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, Mr Ara Aharonian, benefactor of the “Éparchie Sainte-Croix”, Paris city officials among which Mrs Karen Taiëb, the Armenian Ambassador, Mr Arman Khachatryan, the Artsakh Representative, Mr Hovhannès Guevorkian, religious community representatives among which Mgr Elie Yeghiayan, Mgr Krikor Khachatryan and Pastor Gilbert Léonian and notable figures of the French Armenian community such as Bedros Terzian.
The first phase of the Sainte-Croix Cathedral restoration, spanning 2016-2019, included the nave, the choir and rear choir. The total cost for this phase was €1.8 million, with €620,000 generously financed by Mr. Ara Aharonian.
The second phase, now underway, focuses on the Chapels of the Virgin, St. Francis, and Saint Theresa, with an estimated cost of €700,000, of which €525,000 has already been pledged.
This new Sponsorship Agreement underlines the unfailing commitment of the signatories both to Parisian heritage but also and above all to Armenian community.
