Armenian church in Northern Cyprus turned into landfill
12:44 - 20.11.11
An Armenian church located in the Turkish part of Cyprus is on the
edge of complete demolition, Russian news agency Regnum reported,
citing Cyprus mail.
Vandals have turned the Saint Makar Church into a landfill and the
pilgrimage site will soon be flat to the ground.
Leader of the Armenian community in Northern Cyprus Vardges Mandesian
said that for several times they asked local authorities to restore
the church.
`We tried, but they would not have money. Almost nothing has preserved
from the church, and today it is our task to preserve whatever has
remained,' said he.
The church was built in 1000 by Ghpti Christians and was named after
Saint Makar of Alexandria who lived in the 4th century in Egypt.
The church became the property of the Armenian Apostolic Church in
1425 and became a pilgrimage site for Armenians.
During the years of the Armenian Genocide in early 20th century it
served as a shelter for Armenian refugees.
Turkey conquered one-third of Cyprus in 1974 and created a Republic of
Northern Cyprus.
Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian
12:44 - 20.11.11
An Armenian church located in the Turkish part of Cyprus is on the
edge of complete demolition, Russian news agency Regnum reported,
citing Cyprus mail.
Vandals have turned the Saint Makar Church into a landfill and the
pilgrimage site will soon be flat to the ground.
Leader of the Armenian community in Northern Cyprus Vardges Mandesian
said that for several times they asked local authorities to restore
the church.
`We tried, but they would not have money. Almost nothing has preserved
from the church, and today it is our task to preserve whatever has
remained,' said he.
The church was built in 1000 by Ghpti Christians and was named after
Saint Makar of Alexandria who lived in the 4th century in Egypt.
The church became the property of the Armenian Apostolic Church in
1425 and became a pilgrimage site for Armenians.
During the years of the Armenian Genocide in early 20th century it
served as a shelter for Armenian refugees.
Turkey conquered one-third of Cyprus in 1974 and created a Republic of
Northern Cyprus.
Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian