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Al-Jazeera, Qatar
Sept 19 2010
Turkey church opens to worshippers
Religious services at 10th century Armenian church for one day seen as
symbolic gesture by government.
Last Modified: 19 Sep 2010 08:55 GMT
Approximately 2,000 Armenian Christians are expected to worship at the
church of the Holy Cross, a 10th century Armenian church on Akdamar
Island in Turkey for the first time in 95 years.
The church was closed in 1915 and reopened as a museum in 1997. It is
reopening for religious services for one day as a symbolic gesture by
the Turkish government.
As the small church can only accommodate 50 people, big screens and
loudspeakers have been put outside to facilitate the expected 2,000
worshippers.
Last month, the government also allowed the celebration of mass at the
Sumela Greek Orthodox monastery. Religious services there had been
banned for 88 years.
The historical mass is expected to start at 0800 GMT and finish at
1000 GMT. It will be broadcast live by the Turkish state broadcaster.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/09/201091981150102251.html
From: A. Papazian
Sept 19 2010
Turkey church opens to worshippers
Religious services at 10th century Armenian church for one day seen as
symbolic gesture by government.
Last Modified: 19 Sep 2010 08:55 GMT
Approximately 2,000 Armenian Christians are expected to worship at the
church of the Holy Cross, a 10th century Armenian church on Akdamar
Island in Turkey for the first time in 95 years.
The church was closed in 1915 and reopened as a museum in 1997. It is
reopening for religious services for one day as a symbolic gesture by
the Turkish government.
As the small church can only accommodate 50 people, big screens and
loudspeakers have been put outside to facilitate the expected 2,000
worshippers.
Last month, the government also allowed the celebration of mass at the
Sumela Greek Orthodox monastery. Religious services there had been
banned for 88 years.
The historical mass is expected to start at 0800 GMT and finish at
1000 GMT. It will be broadcast live by the Turkish state broadcaster.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/09/201091981150102251.html
From: A. Papazian