Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
March 29 2007

Restored ancient Armenian church opened in eastern Turkey

Van/Akdamar, 29 March: Akdamar Church monumental museum that is
restored by Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry was inaugurated with
a ceremony in the eastern city of Van on Thursday [29 March].

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Atilla Koc, the Armenian deputy
minister of culture, Gagik Gyurdzhyan, the mufti of Van province,
Osman Artan, and the patriarch of Turkish Armenians, Mesrob II, were
among the state officials and foreign guests who participated the
inauguration ceremony.

The director-general of cultural properties and museums, Orhan
Duzgun, informed the participants about the restoration works carried
out in the 10th century Armenian church – now a monumental museum.

Mesrob II, who delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, said the
church building is a very powerful symbol of a culture that has
contributed the Anatolian history for 3,000 years. Mesrob II stated
that this event is considered to be a very positive development in
Turkish-Armenian relations. In his speech, Mesrob II suggested
holding annual religious ceremonies in Akdamar in order to create a
dialogue environment between two societies.

Turkish Minister Atilla Koc opened and toured the museum. Koc
answered questions regarding Mesrob II’s offer about holding
religious ceremonies in the Akdamar Church Monumental Museum, saying
he would communicate the patriarch’s offer to related parties. He
added that his mission, as the culture and tourism minister, is to
restore and prepare such constructs, and continued, "It is the
Ministry of Interior Affairs who will make such a decision."

On the other hand Armenian Deputy Minister Gyurdzhyan said the
restoration works are very well done. He noted that it would be
better for the tourism if the border gates between two countries were
open.

Armenian church

The 10th century Armenian church is located on the small island of
Akdamar, 3 kilometres off coast in Lake Van. Built during the years
915-921 and commissioned by King Gagik I of Vaspurakan Kingdom, the
construct has an interior measuring 14.80 metres by 11.5 metres and
the dome reaching 20.40 metres above ground. The building underwent a
restoration by the Turkish government between May 2005 and October
2006. The restoration works costed 2.6m Turkish liras.