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Turkish architect slams politicization of erection of a cross on Holy
Cross Church edifice
September 19, 2010 - 17:58 AMT 12:58 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
Architect and renovation expert Zakaria Mildanoglu, who participated
in the renovation of the historical Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar
Island, says parties from both Turkey and Armenia have overly
politicized recent activity over the erection of a cross on the
edifice. Still, the fact that the service is going ahead is a big
breakthrough, he says.
`I have constantly stated that the cross should not be used for
politics. The cross would be placed on the dome after the renovation
but it has been politicized by both sides so much that it ended up
causing disputes,' architect and renovation expert Zakaria MildanoÄ?lu,
who participated in the renovation and followed the developments
throughout the process, recently told the Hurriyet Daily News &
Economic Review.
Mildanoglu said the Istanbul Patriarchate made some mistakes during
the renovation, adding that legal Armenian Istanbul Patriarch Mesrop
Mutafyan did not want to attend the church when he heard it would open
as a museum.
`The renovations were the first step, it was obvious even in those
days that service in church would be allowed. He did not accept when I
told him we should make preparations,' Mildanoglu said.
`The [Istanbul] Patriarchate could have made an important mission, it
could have provided steady information sharing with the Jerusalem
Armenian Patriarchate. This type of mediation could have eliminated
misunderstandings and tension,' he said.
If everything had been done calmly, with the Istanbul Patriarchate
presenting its demands to the Turkish government formally, even
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan could have been invited to the
service.
Mildanoglu said Turkey took an important step by allowing the service
to go ahead.
`It was forbidden to even mention the existence of Armenians in
Anatolia back then, but today Armenian historical artifacts are being
renovated. We cannot ignore this,' he said.
From: A. Papazian
Cross Church edifice
September 19, 2010 - 17:58 AMT 12:58 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
Architect and renovation expert Zakaria Mildanoglu, who participated
in the renovation of the historical Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar
Island, says parties from both Turkey and Armenia have overly
politicized recent activity over the erection of a cross on the
edifice. Still, the fact that the service is going ahead is a big
breakthrough, he says.
`I have constantly stated that the cross should not be used for
politics. The cross would be placed on the dome after the renovation
but it has been politicized by both sides so much that it ended up
causing disputes,' architect and renovation expert Zakaria MildanoÄ?lu,
who participated in the renovation and followed the developments
throughout the process, recently told the Hurriyet Daily News &
Economic Review.
Mildanoglu said the Istanbul Patriarchate made some mistakes during
the renovation, adding that legal Armenian Istanbul Patriarch Mesrop
Mutafyan did not want to attend the church when he heard it would open
as a museum.
`The renovations were the first step, it was obvious even in those
days that service in church would be allowed. He did not accept when I
told him we should make preparations,' Mildanoglu said.
`The [Istanbul] Patriarchate could have made an important mission, it
could have provided steady information sharing with the Jerusalem
Armenian Patriarchate. This type of mediation could have eliminated
misunderstandings and tension,' he said.
If everything had been done calmly, with the Istanbul Patriarchate
presenting its demands to the Turkish government formally, even
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan could have been invited to the
service.
Mildanoglu said Turkey took an important step by allowing the service
to go ahead.
`It was forbidden to even mention the existence of Armenians in
Anatolia back then, but today Armenian historical artifacts are being
renovated. We cannot ignore this,' he said.
From: A. Papazian