BBC ON THE EASTER CELEBRATION AT ARMENIAN CHURCH OF DIYARBAKIR
14:49, 6 April, 2015
YEREVAN, 6 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Saint Giragos Armenian Church of
Diyarbakir celebrated Easter. As “Armenpress” reports, the Turkish
service of BBC prepared a special report on the festive mood and
ceremonies at the Armenian church.
The BBC reporter mentions that eggs are painted on one side of the
church, and the pastry for Easter is made on the other side. Semiha
Demir, 57, who had come to help prepare for Easter, said his two
grandfathers were Armenian, but had converted to Islam.
The reporter also mentions that the expression “My grandfather was
also Armenian”, is very common in Diyarbakir, as well as in the
nearby regions. One of them is Knar, who was baptized four years ago
and was busy preparing the eggs. “I am from Sasun. My grandfather
was forcefully converted when he was 17. His name was Chuchan, but
he became Abdurrahman,” Knar said, adding that her husband has also
been baptized and has returned to his Armenian roots.
Ayten Ekij, one of the participants, also shared her story and
mentioned that even though she is one of the grandchildren of
survivors, the Turks weren’t able to eliminate them.
The reporter mentions that there are currently very few Armenians
living in Diyarbakir and that 50 of them have returned to their
Armenian identity. Sargis Eken, 78, is the only one who was born and
raised as an Armenian in Diyarbakir. He has health problems, and even
though he had promised to come to the church to celebrate Easter,
he hadn’t been able to keep his word.
After the Holy Mass at the church, the painted eggs and Easter pastries
were handed to the attending guests.