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| 16:18:43 | 10-05-2005 | Politics |
CHURCH CONVERTED INTO CAFÉ, THEN INTO HOTEL
Lately the Armenian church of St. Makar situated in Northern Cyprus has been
used as a café.
Yeniduzen Turkish newspaper writes that some Dervish Sonmezler, who is the
«owner» of the cafe is going to convert it into a hotel.
The Church was founded by Copts in the 4th century. Then it passed to
Armenians and during centuries was one of the holy places for Armenians.
Being under the jurisdiction of the Antilias patriarchate, the Church
preserved ties with Holy Echmiadzin and was the beloved place of the
Armenian community before the Turks occupied Northern Cyprus.
Recently the Church has been plundered. The manuscripts and icons were sold.