TURKEY TO OPEN ARMENIAN CHURCH TO WORSHIP

ArmInfo
2009-12-24 17:47:00

ArmInfo. Van Eastern Province regional governor Munir Karaloglu said
on Thursday that Turkey would open an Armenian church Surb Khach in
an eastern city on Akdamar island to worship in September 2010.

The Surp Khac Church on Akdamar Island in Lake Van was opened in 2007
as a museum after it was restored by the Turkish government between
May 2005 and October 2006. The restoration cost $1.7 million.

Karalogu said he had contacted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
in order to open the church to worship and to invite the Armenian
community.

Former Turkish Minister for Culture and Tourism Atilla Koc and then
Armenian Deputy Minister of Culture Gagig Gyurjian, and Mesrob II,
the patriarch of Turkish Armenians, participated in the inauguration
ceremony on March 29, 2007.

The Akdamar Church was constructed by architect Bishop Manuel between
915 and 921 A.D. under the supervision of King Gagik I.

Among the important pieces of Armenian architecture, the church draws
attraction with its stone workmanship and the relief on its walls.