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CULTURE AND TOURISM MINISTRY OF TURKEY WILL ALLOW WORSHIP AT A CHURCH IN VAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.03.2010 16:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey will
allow worship once a year at a church in Van, according to a statement
released Thursday.
The historical Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church on Akdamar Island in
the eastern district of Van was renovated and opened as a museum
in 2007 by former Culture Minister Atilla Koc. Since then, debate
has centered on whether the church would once again be opened for
prayer. Buildings designated as museums are not allowed to host
religious services under Turkish law.
In an interview with the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review in
January, Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay said the ministry was making
the final legal arrangements to allow the church to open for prayer
once a year.
Surb Khach Church remains a topic of considerable debate especially
around speculation surrounding whether a cross would be set atop the
church. The decision on the cross is still pending, Hurriyet Daily
News reported.
PanARMENIAN.Net
25.03.2010 16:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey will
allow worship once a year at a church in Van, according to a statement
released Thursday.
The historical Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church on Akdamar Island in
the eastern district of Van was renovated and opened as a museum
in 2007 by former Culture Minister Atilla Koc. Since then, debate
has centered on whether the church would once again be opened for
prayer. Buildings designated as museums are not allowed to host
religious services under Turkish law.
In an interview with the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review in
January, Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay said the ministry was making
the final legal arrangements to allow the church to open for prayer
once a year.
Surb Khach Church remains a topic of considerable debate especially
around speculation surrounding whether a cross would be set atop the
church. The decision on the cross is still pending, Hurriyet Daily
News reported.