The claim [submitted to the Turkish Constitutional Court] is for restitution of the property and not for compensation,” the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia noted in its statement, clarifying the nature and purpose of the claim for the return of its historical Seat in Sis, Asbarez reports.                 

“The lawsuit claims the right of ownership and religious worship with regard to the Monastery and Cathedral of St. Sophia, the Seat of the Catholicosate from 1293 until at least 1921. To comply with the procedures for filing of property claims before the Turkish Constitutional Court, the application indicated a provisional estimated value for the property. The demand however is clearly and emphatically for return of the property and its restoration and use for religious worship, and this demand cannot be satisfied by the payment of monetary compensation. The claim therefore is for restitution of the property and not for compensation,” the statement reads.

The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia submitted a claim to the Turkish Constitutional Court on April 28 demanding to return its Seat in Sis, which is currently located in the territory of the historic Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.