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NEW LAKE PIER CONSTRUCTED FOR AKDAMAR CHURCH
Vercihan Ziflioglu
Hurriyet Daily News
Aug 17, 2011
Turkey
The Van Governor's Office is aiding in the preparations for the
second Divine Liturgy on Akdamar Island's Surp Hac Church by building
a pier that will be better equipped to handle the number of expected
visitors. Other arrangements are also being made to serve the guests
who will attend the Sept 11 ceremony that falls in line with the
Armenian Apostolic Church's celebration of the Surp Hac Festival
The construction of a new pier is ongoing on Lake Van for the second
Divine Liturgy that will be held at Surp Hac Church.
The Van Governor's Office has begun comprehensive preparations,
including the construction of a new pier on Lake Van, for a second
Divine Liturgy that will be held on Akdamar Island's Surp Hac Church
on Sept. 11. "The governor's office is building a large pier that will
meet the needs [of visitors] in place of the current pier. Moreover,
arrangements are also underway to better serve the guests who will be
coming to the island for the Divine Liturgy," Van Gov. Munir Karaloglu
recently told the Hurriyet Daily News.
Over 7,000 people attended last year's ceremony, said Karaloglu,
adding that they were expecting a large number of congregants to
attend this year's Divine Liturgy as well.
"This year, we are also expecting Armenians from Iran as well. At
any rate, there is generally an apparent increase in the [number]
of tourists who arrive in Van starting in the month of August,"
Karaloglu said.
"Of course, it is not just Armenians but tourists from all corners
of the world who come to Van. We broke a record in [the number of
tourist arrivals] during this year's first six months in comparison
to previous years," he said.
Deputy Patriarch Archbishop Aram AteÅ~_yan, who will preside over
this year's Divine Liturgy, said in a press release that no official
invitations were going to be sent either to Armenia or to the diaspora
for the September ceremony.
"It will be a routine Divine Liturgy. As the [deputy] patriarch has
said, no official invitations are going to be issued," Karaloglu said,
adding that they had formed a joint commission with the Patriarchate
and that preparations were underway for the Divine Liturgy.
The Divine Liturgy on Akdamar will be held on Sept. 11, which falls in
line with the Armenian Apostolic Church's celebration of the Surp Hac
Festival. AteÅ~_yan will be in charge of the Divine Liturgy because
a debilitating illness prevents Patriarch Mesrop II from fulfilling
his duties.
Asked whether visitors would again be accommodated in private
residences in Van, Karaoglu said: "If the need arises, we can launch
a similar campaign again. But this year, there is no demand."
Touching on a controversy surrounding the lack of a cross atop the
church last year, the governor said: "The diaspora was saying that
another Divine Liturgy was not going to be allowed [in Surp Hac
Church.] The arguments were fuelled because no crosses were put on
[the church.] The cross was put in place after the Divine Liturgy,
and as you can see, a permit for the Divine Liturgy is also being
issued for the second time." Past years' debates regarding the church's
cross were unnecessary, he added.
Carpanak Monastery next in line
The governor also said they had applied to international organizations
and received funds to restore several churches and monasteries within
the boundaries of the eastern province.
Restoration works for the Carpanak Monastery on the island of the same
name will start in a couple of months, the governor said, adding that
the original name of the Armenian monastery, which dates back to the
15th century, was "Gduzs."
When the restoration is completed, Carpanak will also be open to
visitors as a museum," he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Vercihan Ziflioglu
Hurriyet Daily News
Aug 17, 2011
Turkey
The Van Governor's Office is aiding in the preparations for the
second Divine Liturgy on Akdamar Island's Surp Hac Church by building
a pier that will be better equipped to handle the number of expected
visitors. Other arrangements are also being made to serve the guests
who will attend the Sept 11 ceremony that falls in line with the
Armenian Apostolic Church's celebration of the Surp Hac Festival
The construction of a new pier is ongoing on Lake Van for the second
Divine Liturgy that will be held at Surp Hac Church.
The Van Governor's Office has begun comprehensive preparations,
including the construction of a new pier on Lake Van, for a second
Divine Liturgy that will be held on Akdamar Island's Surp Hac Church
on Sept. 11. "The governor's office is building a large pier that will
meet the needs [of visitors] in place of the current pier. Moreover,
arrangements are also underway to better serve the guests who will be
coming to the island for the Divine Liturgy," Van Gov. Munir Karaloglu
recently told the Hurriyet Daily News.
Over 7,000 people attended last year's ceremony, said Karaloglu,
adding that they were expecting a large number of congregants to
attend this year's Divine Liturgy as well.
"This year, we are also expecting Armenians from Iran as well. At
any rate, there is generally an apparent increase in the [number]
of tourists who arrive in Van starting in the month of August,"
Karaloglu said.
"Of course, it is not just Armenians but tourists from all corners
of the world who come to Van. We broke a record in [the number of
tourist arrivals] during this year's first six months in comparison
to previous years," he said.
Deputy Patriarch Archbishop Aram AteÅ~_yan, who will preside over
this year's Divine Liturgy, said in a press release that no official
invitations were going to be sent either to Armenia or to the diaspora
for the September ceremony.
"It will be a routine Divine Liturgy. As the [deputy] patriarch has
said, no official invitations are going to be issued," Karaloglu said,
adding that they had formed a joint commission with the Patriarchate
and that preparations were underway for the Divine Liturgy.
The Divine Liturgy on Akdamar will be held on Sept. 11, which falls in
line with the Armenian Apostolic Church's celebration of the Surp Hac
Festival. AteÅ~_yan will be in charge of the Divine Liturgy because
a debilitating illness prevents Patriarch Mesrop II from fulfilling
his duties.
Asked whether visitors would again be accommodated in private
residences in Van, Karaoglu said: "If the need arises, we can launch
a similar campaign again. But this year, there is no demand."
Touching on a controversy surrounding the lack of a cross atop the
church last year, the governor said: "The diaspora was saying that
another Divine Liturgy was not going to be allowed [in Surp Hac
Church.] The arguments were fuelled because no crosses were put on
[the church.] The cross was put in place after the Divine Liturgy,
and as you can see, a permit for the Divine Liturgy is also being
issued for the second time." Past years' debates regarding the church's
cross were unnecessary, he added.
Carpanak Monastery next in line
The governor also said they had applied to international organizations
and received funds to restore several churches and monasteries within
the boundaries of the eastern province.
Restoration works for the Carpanak Monastery on the island of the same
name will start in a couple of months, the governor said, adding that
the original name of the Armenian monastery, which dates back to the
15th century, was "Gduzs."
When the restoration is completed, Carpanak will also be open to
visitors as a museum," he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress