ABSENCE OF CROSS ON DOME OF SURB KHACH CHURCH REVEALS TRUE FACE OF
TURKEY, PRIEST SHAHE HAYRAPETIAN SAYS

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The absence of the cross on the dome
of Surb Khach Church to be re-opened on Aghtamar Island of Van on
March 29 reveals the true face of Turkey. Priest Shahe Hayrapetian,
spiritual shepherd of Yerevan’s Surb Sargis Church, expressed this
opinion during a talk with NT correspondent.

In his words, it is impossible to separate from the church these
symbols because its dome and the holy table are cruciform. "The cross
is our glory and honor, it is our crown that follows us
everywhere. And we together must mount this cross," the priest stated.

As regards the negative attitude of the Diasporan Armenian community
to the issue of participation in the ceremony of re-opening Surb Khach
Church, priest Shahe Hayrapetian said that "not to go there only
because of the cross and not to worship this sacred place is really
just sensual."