ANKARA: Armenian Churches In Van To Be Restored

ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN VAN TO BE RESTORED

Hurriyet
Feb 22 2010
Turkey

Armenian churches in the eastern province of Van will be restored,
the deputy governor said Monday.

Speaking to an Anatolia news agency correspondent, Van deputy governor
Halil Berk said that Armenian churches on Carpanak Island and YukarÄ±
BakraclÄ± village would be restored within the scope of a project
prepared by the governor’s office.

Berk said they were conducting projects to boost the province’s
tourism potential.

"There are four islands including Akdamar Island in Lake Van. Every
island has a church. Only Akdamar Church was restored. Churches in
Carpanak Island and YukarÄ± BakraclÄ± village will also be restored
with the project prepared by us," Berk said.

Varakavank Monastery includes seven churches in YukarÄ± BakraclÄ±
village. The oldest church is St. Sophia Church built in the 8th
century.

Carpanak Church which was built in the 6th century was restored in
1462. After an earthquake in 1703, the church was again restored
between 1712 and 1720.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS