TURKISH ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS PROPOSE MAKING SURB KHACH CHURCH PROPERTY OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 21 2007

ISTANBUL, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the occasion of
opening Surb Khach Church of Aghtamar, a group of Turkish Armenian
artists and intellectuals sent a letter to the Turkish minister of
culture Atilla Koc. In the letter they express satisfaction at the
restoration of the church and remind that the name of the island is
not "Agtamar" but "Aghtamar" but as "gh" is difficult to pronounce in
Turkish, "Ahtamar" form is acceptable. The name of the church is Surb
Khach (Saint Cross), and the holiday of Surb Khach is celebrated on
the second Sunday of September each year, which is an important day
for the Armenians. It is noted in the letter that it would be correct
to refer to the church by its proper name.

The intellectuals propose in their letter that the church become
property of the Armenian community, while the state will continue to
have administrative authority. Besides, if Surb Khach is considered
as a church at the same time, it would be proper to offer prayers and
hold a religious ceremony during the opening of the church (otherwise,
it will be not a church but a monument which will disappoint Armenians
outside Turkey). According to the letter authors, it is necessary
to place the cross and bell of the church even if it will be used as
a museum.

"Marmara" reported that the letter bears signatures of Arman Artuc,
Murad Bebir, Raffi Bilal, Ared Cicekeker, Ari Demircoglu, Selin Evren,
Aram Galenderoglu, Khosrov Kyoledavitoglu, Sibil Bektorosoglu and
Nadia Uygun.