SURPRISE FOR ARMENIANS DURING REOPENING OF ST GIRAGOS CHURCH IN DIYARBAKIR (PHOTO, VIDEO)
news.am
Armenia
May 9 2011
Mayor of Diyarbakir Osman Baydemir welcomes the reopening of St
Giragos church and promises surprises for Armenians during its
opening ceremony.
At the meeting with Armenian and Turkish journalists, Baydemir did
not specify when the re-opening of the church is scheduled for.
"The date of the opening ceremony is yet unclear. We will discuss the
date and preparations for church's reopening with honorary guests from
Istanbul (representatives of Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople).
I promise the church will reopen with a cross on the dome of St
Giragos Church," Baydemir stressed.
The Mayor also stressed they will prepare surprises for Armenians,
but declined to go into details. He said they would like to see
representatives from Turkey, Armenia and other countries during the
opening ceremony.
Restoration project estimated at $2.5 m is carried out by Surb Giragos
foundation set up by Armenians of Diyarbekir.
Resurrecting memories of the Armenian presence, workers in Diyarbakır
are putting the finishing touches to restore what was once one of
the largest churches in the Middle East, St. Giragos.
From: A. Papazian
news.am
Armenia
May 9 2011
Mayor of Diyarbakir Osman Baydemir welcomes the reopening of St
Giragos church and promises surprises for Armenians during its
opening ceremony.
At the meeting with Armenian and Turkish journalists, Baydemir did
not specify when the re-opening of the church is scheduled for.
"The date of the opening ceremony is yet unclear. We will discuss the
date and preparations for church's reopening with honorary guests from
Istanbul (representatives of Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople).
I promise the church will reopen with a cross on the dome of St
Giragos Church," Baydemir stressed.
The Mayor also stressed they will prepare surprises for Armenians,
but declined to go into details. He said they would like to see
representatives from Turkey, Armenia and other countries during the
opening ceremony.
Restoration project estimated at $2.5 m is carried out by Surb Giragos
foundation set up by Armenians of Diyarbekir.
Resurrecting memories of the Armenian presence, workers in Diyarbakır
are putting the finishing touches to restore what was once one of
the largest churches in the Middle East, St. Giragos.
From: A. Papazian