AKHTAMAR CHURCH OPENED IN TURKEY

ArmRadio.am
29.03.2007 16:10

The Church of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van was
opened in Turkey today. The opening ceremony was attended by the
Armenian delegation headed by RA Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth
Affairs Gagik Gyurjyan. Also present was the Armenian Patriarch of
Constantinople Mesrop Archbishop Mutafyan.

>From the Turkish side the ceremony was attended by Culture Minister
Atilla Koch.

It’s worth mentioning that no cross has been placed on the
church. However, Atilla Koch declared yesterday that the cross would
be placed and religious masses would be organized in the church at
least once a year.

Let us remind that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin refused to
participate in the opening ceremony, considering that the reconstructed
church will turn into a museum and the ceremony will not be held in
compliance with religious rituals of the Armenian Apostolic Church.