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Rev. Vahram Melikyan: September 19 ceremony in the St. Cross Church of
the Akhtamar is a delayed and not complete step
YEREVAN, JULY 23, ARMENPRESS: Two representatives of the Holy See of
St. Etchmiadzin will participate in the September 19 Liturgy in the
St. Cross Church of the Akhtamar. Director of the Holy See press
service Rev. Vahram Melikyan told Armenpress that the turning of the
church into a museum rose a wave of discontent not only in the
Armenian Apostolic Church but also among the Armenians all over the
world. In 2007 the Turkish government restored and reopened the
Armenian St. Cross Church on the Akhtamar Island of Lake Van as a
museum. The opening ceremony was done without prayer that is why the
Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin did not participate in it.
`We are glad to see change in the attitude of the Turkish authorities
who allowed to conduct Holy Liturgy in the church once in a year. But
what must be done September 19 is a delayed and not complete step,'
Rev Vahram Melikyan said.
Historian, director of the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute Hayk
Demoyan described this ceremony as another staged show by Turkey. He
also expressed opinion that the opening of the church is an example of
violation of Treaty of Lausanne as it has not been allowed to place
cross on the dome of the church. At the same time on the walls of the
St. Cross Turkish flags and pictures of founder of Turkey Ataturk are
put.
In this respect the Holy See abstained from comments, only adding that
it is full of hope that the decision will be reviewed and the St.
Cross will operate fully serving the Armenian community. It would also
be natural if the church be provided to the Armenian Patriarchate of
Constantinople.
From: A. Papazian
the Akhtamar is a delayed and not complete step
YEREVAN, JULY 23, ARMENPRESS: Two representatives of the Holy See of
St. Etchmiadzin will participate in the September 19 Liturgy in the
St. Cross Church of the Akhtamar. Director of the Holy See press
service Rev. Vahram Melikyan told Armenpress that the turning of the
church into a museum rose a wave of discontent not only in the
Armenian Apostolic Church but also among the Armenians all over the
world. In 2007 the Turkish government restored and reopened the
Armenian St. Cross Church on the Akhtamar Island of Lake Van as a
museum. The opening ceremony was done without prayer that is why the
Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin did not participate in it.
`We are glad to see change in the attitude of the Turkish authorities
who allowed to conduct Holy Liturgy in the church once in a year. But
what must be done September 19 is a delayed and not complete step,'
Rev Vahram Melikyan said.
Historian, director of the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute Hayk
Demoyan described this ceremony as another staged show by Turkey. He
also expressed opinion that the opening of the church is an example of
violation of Treaty of Lausanne as it has not been allowed to place
cross on the dome of the church. At the same time on the walls of the
St. Cross Turkish flags and pictures of founder of Turkey Ataturk are
put.
In this respect the Holy See abstained from comments, only adding that
it is full of hope that the decision will be reviewed and the St.
Cross will operate fully serving the Armenian community. It would also
be natural if the church be provided to the Armenian Patriarchate of
Constantinople.
From: A. Papazian