PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenian Church of Istanbul was intensively guarded by police platoon
at Eastertide
09.04.2007 14:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian community of Istanbul traditionally marked
Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Virgin Church, residence
of Mesrob Mutafyan, Constantinople Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic
Church. Editor-in-chief of Istanbul `Marmara’ newspaper Rober
Hatechian told the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist that no disorders took
place during liturgy. `As usual on Easter Day the Patriarch hold a
large reception, where outstanding representatives of Armenian
community were present.

Also on Easter Day and other patronal festivals the church and
adjacent streets are intensively guarded by police platoons. Generally
I must say that there are always policemen near the Patriarchy in
order to prevent incidents. Not only Armenian churches of Istanbul,
but also all churches in Turkey marked the Easter Day,’ Hatechian
said. He also added it was the first large service after the
assassination of Hrant Dink, `Agos’ Armenian-Turkish weekly
editor-in-chief, on January 19. 2007. After Hrant Dink’s murder
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan was threatened by physical punishment.