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NEW LAKE PIER FOR AKHTAMAR CHURCH BUILT IN TURKEY
Tert.am
18.08.11
A governor's office in Turkey is aiding in the preparations for the
second Divine Liturgy on Akhtamar Island's Church by building a pier.
The construction is expected to be better equipped to handle the
number of expected visitors, according to the Turkish newspaper
Hurriyet Daily News.
The Governor's Office of Van began the construction of the pier as
part of the comprehensive preparations for a second Divine Liturgy
that will be held on Akhtamar Island's Surp Khach (Holy Cross) Church
on September 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
has told the paper.
Over 7,000 people attended last year's ceremony, Karaloglu said,
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 Ateshyan, 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 Akhtamar will be held on September 11, which
falls in line with the Armenian Apostolic Church's celebration of
the Surp Kach Festival. Ateshyan 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 Surb Khach
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.
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.
Tert.am
18.08.11
A governor's office in Turkey is aiding in the preparations for the
second Divine Liturgy on Akhtamar Island's Church by building a pier.
The construction is expected to be better equipped to handle the
number of expected visitors, according to the Turkish newspaper
Hurriyet Daily News.
The Governor's Office of Van began the construction of the pier as
part of the comprehensive preparations for a second Divine Liturgy
that will be held on Akhtamar Island's Surp Khach (Holy Cross) Church
on September 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
has told the paper.
Over 7,000 people attended last year's ceremony, Karaloglu said,
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 Ateshyan, 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 Akhtamar will be held on September 11, which
falls in line with the Armenian Apostolic Church's celebration of
the Surp Kach Festival. Ateshyan 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 Surb Khach
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.
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.