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Sourb Khach mass is over
16:32 - 19.09.10
The long-awaited mass in Sourb Khach Church (Saint Cross) in Van was
over at about 3 p. m. Yerevan time. The liturgy was served by
Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Deputy Patriarch of the Constantinople
Patriarchate of the Armenian Church.
Despite early statements the Turkish authorities backtracked on their
promise and failed to restore the cross on the church before the mass
which drew many Armenians into disappointment and resulted in
cancellation of many previously planned trips to Van.
Consequently, many hotel rooms previously booked in Van remained
vacant with only 750 Istanbul-based Armenians arriving in Akhtamar.
About 300-400 foreign guests attended the liturgy service in Sourb
Khach. They came mainly from US, Canada, Germany and other countries.
Mother See of Holly Etchmiadzin also joined many calls to boycott the
mass and did not attend it.
Earlier it had said it would send two high-ranking representatives to
Van to take part in the liturgy service.
Turkey renovated Sourb Khach in 2007 and opened it as a museum where
no loud prayers or masses are allowed.
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian
16:32 - 19.09.10
The long-awaited mass in Sourb Khach Church (Saint Cross) in Van was
over at about 3 p. m. Yerevan time. The liturgy was served by
Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Deputy Patriarch of the Constantinople
Patriarchate of the Armenian Church.
Despite early statements the Turkish authorities backtracked on their
promise and failed to restore the cross on the church before the mass
which drew many Armenians into disappointment and resulted in
cancellation of many previously planned trips to Van.
Consequently, many hotel rooms previously booked in Van remained
vacant with only 750 Istanbul-based Armenians arriving in Akhtamar.
About 300-400 foreign guests attended the liturgy service in Sourb
Khach. They came mainly from US, Canada, Germany and other countries.
Mother See of Holly Etchmiadzin also joined many calls to boycott the
mass and did not attend it.
Earlier it had said it would send two high-ranking representatives to
Van to take part in the liturgy service.
Turkey renovated Sourb Khach in 2007 and opened it as a museum where
no loud prayers or masses are allowed.
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian