OPENING OF SURP KHACH CHURCH OF AKHTAMAR ISLAND POSTPONED TILL APRIL
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily
02/11/2006

On October 19, referring to Lraber newspaper of the Armenian Patriarchy
of Istanbul, daily Azg informed that the opening of Surp Khach
Church of Akhtamar Island is envisaged on November 4. Owner of the
construction firm repairing the church, Jahit Zaydanlen, was quoted as
saying that the roof and the floor of the church were reconstructed,
frescos on the walls were uncovered, new windows were installed, the
altar was put into order and the outside bas-reliefs were cleaned. Yet,
he dissembled that the crosses of the chapel and the dome were missing.

Most likely the crosses won’t be erected as the construction works
officially finished on August 30.

As to the opening of the church that will be attended by prime minister
Erdogan it was postponed due to bad weather, CNN-Turk reported.