Akhtamar’s Sourp Khatch to Re-Open as Place of Prayer, Says Turkey’s
Culture Minister
Tert.am
14:16 ¢ 23.01.10
Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism ends speculation about the
historical Armenian church Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) located on the
island of Akhtamar on Lake Van. Ministry representatives have said the
church will re-open as a place of worship and a cross will be placed
on the church. In accordance with preliminary details, Sourp Khatch
will hold its first mass this year in September.
The Armenian church was renovated and opened as a museum in 2007 by
former Culture Minister Atilla Koç; since then, debate has centered on
whether a cross would be placed atop the building’s dome and whether
the church would once again be opened for prayer, since, in accordance
with Turkish law, buildings designated as museums are prohibited from
hosting religious services.
However, Turkey’s current Culture Minister ErtuÄ?rul Günay has told the
Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review that the ministry is making the
final legal arrangements to allow the church to open for prayer, if
only once a year.
According to Hürriyet, the church has symbolic importance in the
normalization process between Turkey and Armenia. Although it is
commonly believed that Armenian-Turkish dialogue began with the World
Cup Qualifier between the two countries’ national teams in 2008, the
actual process began with the initial renovation of Sourp Khatch
(spelled Surp Haç in the original story).
Former minister Koç contacted Gagik Gürciyan, the deputy culture
minister of Armenia at that time, to provide experts from Armenia to
come to Turkey to inspect the church. Despite the closed borders
between the two countries, Turkish and Armenian experts have engaged
in a coordinated effort aimed at restoring Sourp Khatch.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
