Tweet
TURKEY TO RE-OPEN BIGGEST ARMENIAN CHURCH IN MIDDLE EAST
Tert.am
16:15 ~U 11.10.11
The biggest Armenian church in Middle East town is going to re-open
in Turkey's Diyarbekir later this month.
A holy mass on October 22 will mark the re-opening of St Kirakos
church after long repairs.
According to the Turkish news agency Dogan, St Kirakos is the biggest
chuirch in the Middle East that did not operate in the past 30 years.
The Germans used it as a headquarter during World War I. Later,
the builidng turned into a warehouse.
The repairs cost $3.4 million, with 70% covered by the Armenian
community of Istanbul and 30% - by the Diyarbekir Municipality.
"This church has a different message for us. Unlike the Holy Cross
of Akhtamar, it is our property," said Archbishop Aram Ateshyan,
the vicar of the Armenian Church of Istanbul.
According to him, the holy mass in the church is expected to bring
together Armenians from different countries around the world.
A video footage featuring the repairs in St Kirakos can be accessed
here.
Tert.am
16:15 ~U 11.10.11
The biggest Armenian church in Middle East town is going to re-open
in Turkey's Diyarbekir later this month.
A holy mass on October 22 will mark the re-opening of St Kirakos
church after long repairs.
According to the Turkish news agency Dogan, St Kirakos is the biggest
chuirch in the Middle East that did not operate in the past 30 years.
The Germans used it as a headquarter during World War I. Later,
the builidng turned into a warehouse.
The repairs cost $3.4 million, with 70% covered by the Armenian
community of Istanbul and 30% - by the Diyarbekir Municipality.
"This church has a different message for us. Unlike the Holy Cross
of Akhtamar, it is our property," said Archbishop Aram Ateshyan,
the vicar of the Armenian Church of Istanbul.
According to him, the holy mass in the church is expected to bring
together Armenians from different countries around the world.
A video footage featuring the repairs in St Kirakos can be accessed
here.