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news.am, Armenia
Sept 19 2010
Liturgy at Surb Khach church begins
September 19, 2010 | 13:18
A liturgy at Surb Khach church has begun on Akhtamar Island in Van,
Turkey. A NEWS.am correspondent reports that many people outside the
church can watch the liturgy on large screens. Only 55 people are
inside the church.
The liturgy is conducted by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan. The ceremony is
expected to last for three days.
Zahir Kandasoglu, Chairman of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry
pointed out that 90% of the hotel room bookings were canceled after
people knew the cross would not be installed on the church.
In 2007, when the church was renovated, Turkish flags were flying
round it, and guests could see Ataturk's portrait. Now, however,
neither Turkish flags nor Ataturk's portrait can be seen there, the
NEWS.am correspondent report. Numerous policemen and ambulances are on
the island. Military airplanes are flying over the island to ensure
security.
One hundred and eighty-five journalists, with 35 of them foreign ones,
are providing coverage of the event. Journalists from Armenia, the
USA, Germany Holland, Finland and other states arrive in Van.
Only the Constantinople Patriarchate is participating in the liturgy.
The three other patriarchates of the Armenian Apostolic Church refused
to take part in the liturgy, as the Turkish authorities refused to
install a cross on atop the church. Armenian public representatives
also refused to take part in the liturgy for the same reason, though
they received invitations from the Turkish Premier. The public figures
stated that Surb Khach church cannot be considered restored until a
cross has been installed on its dome.
From: A. Papazian
Sept 19 2010
Liturgy at Surb Khach church begins
September 19, 2010 | 13:18
A liturgy at Surb Khach church has begun on Akhtamar Island in Van,
Turkey. A NEWS.am correspondent reports that many people outside the
church can watch the liturgy on large screens. Only 55 people are
inside the church.
The liturgy is conducted by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan. The ceremony is
expected to last for three days.
Zahir Kandasoglu, Chairman of the Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry
pointed out that 90% of the hotel room bookings were canceled after
people knew the cross would not be installed on the church.
In 2007, when the church was renovated, Turkish flags were flying
round it, and guests could see Ataturk's portrait. Now, however,
neither Turkish flags nor Ataturk's portrait can be seen there, the
NEWS.am correspondent report. Numerous policemen and ambulances are on
the island. Military airplanes are flying over the island to ensure
security.
One hundred and eighty-five journalists, with 35 of them foreign ones,
are providing coverage of the event. Journalists from Armenia, the
USA, Germany Holland, Finland and other states arrive in Van.
Only the Constantinople Patriarchate is participating in the liturgy.
The three other patriarchates of the Armenian Apostolic Church refused
to take part in the liturgy, as the Turkish authorities refused to
install a cross on atop the church. Armenian public representatives
also refused to take part in the liturgy for the same reason, though
they received invitations from the Turkish Premier. The public figures
stated that Surb Khach church cannot be considered restored until a
cross has been installed on its dome.
From: A. Papazian