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Today's Zaman , Turkey
Sept 19 2010
Religious ceremony held in Armenian church in Turkey's east after 95 years
A religious ceremony was held Sunday at a historical Armenian church
located in an eastern Turkish province for the first time after 95
years.
The Armenian church located on Akdamar island in Lake Van in Turkey's
Van province was opened to worshippers for a single day.
Sunday's ritual, directed by Archbishop Aram Atesyan of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Turkey, lasted 2 hours.
Hundreds of Christians arrived at Akdamar to attend today's mass, as
only 50 protocol members could be allowed in the church due to lack of
space inside the historical building. Guests watched the ceremony via
two giant screens built-up in the church's garden.
High-level officials, diplomats, journalists, Armenian community
members and officials from Germany, France, several other European
countries and USA attended the ceremony.
Delivering a speech at the gathering, Archbishop Aram Atesyan said the
patriarchate attached great importance to the preservation of Akdamar
Church and its transfer to future generations.
"This church, which is a valuable piece of art, is a cultural monument
that belongs to the whole humanity. On this occasion, we would like to
express our thanks to the state and government of Republic of Turkey
for restoring and protecting this building," Atesyan said.
The island of Akdamar in Lake Van in Eastern Anatolia is famous for
its Armenian church.
The Church of Akdamar was built by Architect Bishop Manuel between
915-921 A.D. under the supervision of King Gagik I.
The name given to the island, Aght'amar, is explained by a well known
legend among local population: A nobleman who fell in love with a
beautiful girl named Tamar visited the island every night to see her.
As he was crossing the lake one stormy night, his boat capsized and
fighting the waves, he drowned uttering the words "Ach Tamar". Tamar,
awaiting the arrival of her loved one, grieved deeply upon hearing the
news of his death and died soon after. Hence, the island was called
"Ach Tamar" (Aght'amar/Akdamar) ever since.
The church remained as a part of a monastic complex until the
beginning of the 20th century, after which it was abandoned during
World War I due to the fights along the Russian border and it was left
in a bad condition for many years.
Turkish authorities restored the church between 2005-2007 and opened
it as a museum.
Upon a proposal by the Governor's Office of Van and approval of the
Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry, Akdamar Church will host a
religious worship once a year from now on.
19 September 2010, Sunday
THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY VAN
From: A. Papazian
Sept 19 2010
Religious ceremony held in Armenian church in Turkey's east after 95 years
A religious ceremony was held Sunday at a historical Armenian church
located in an eastern Turkish province for the first time after 95
years.
The Armenian church located on Akdamar island in Lake Van in Turkey's
Van province was opened to worshippers for a single day.
Sunday's ritual, directed by Archbishop Aram Atesyan of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Turkey, lasted 2 hours.
Hundreds of Christians arrived at Akdamar to attend today's mass, as
only 50 protocol members could be allowed in the church due to lack of
space inside the historical building. Guests watched the ceremony via
two giant screens built-up in the church's garden.
High-level officials, diplomats, journalists, Armenian community
members and officials from Germany, France, several other European
countries and USA attended the ceremony.
Delivering a speech at the gathering, Archbishop Aram Atesyan said the
patriarchate attached great importance to the preservation of Akdamar
Church and its transfer to future generations.
"This church, which is a valuable piece of art, is a cultural monument
that belongs to the whole humanity. On this occasion, we would like to
express our thanks to the state and government of Republic of Turkey
for restoring and protecting this building," Atesyan said.
The island of Akdamar in Lake Van in Eastern Anatolia is famous for
its Armenian church.
The Church of Akdamar was built by Architect Bishop Manuel between
915-921 A.D. under the supervision of King Gagik I.
The name given to the island, Aght'amar, is explained by a well known
legend among local population: A nobleman who fell in love with a
beautiful girl named Tamar visited the island every night to see her.
As he was crossing the lake one stormy night, his boat capsized and
fighting the waves, he drowned uttering the words "Ach Tamar". Tamar,
awaiting the arrival of her loved one, grieved deeply upon hearing the
news of his death and died soon after. Hence, the island was called
"Ach Tamar" (Aght'amar/Akdamar) ever since.
The church remained as a part of a monastic complex until the
beginning of the 20th century, after which it was abandoned during
World War I due to the fights along the Russian border and it was left
in a bad condition for many years.
Turkish authorities restored the church between 2005-2007 and opened
it as a museum.
Upon a proposal by the Governor's Office of Van and approval of the
Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry, Akdamar Church will host a
religious worship once a year from now on.
19 September 2010, Sunday
THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY VAN
From: A. Papazian