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Hurriyet Daily News , Turkey
Sept 10 2011
Historical Armenian church hosts service
Sunday, September 11, 2011
VAN- Anatolia News Agency
A historical Armenian church located on Akdamar Island in Lake Van
hosted on Sunday the second religious ceremony since its renovation in
2007.
The ceremony at the Akdamar Church was led by Turkish Armenian
Patriarchate's Archbishop Aram AteÅ?yan.
Speaking at the ceremony, AteÅ?yan said their wishes were for
tranquility in the country and brotherhood between all societies and
humans.
Around 3,000 people were in attendance.
Income received from the sale of candles at the church will be sent to
famine-stricken Somalia.
Akdamar Church opened to worshippers for a single day and hosted a
religious ceremony for the first time after 95 years in September
2010.
The church attracted nearly 30,000 tourists in 2010 and has received
even more visitors in the first seven months of this year, tourism
officials told AA.
Officials said the number of tourists visiting the Akdamar Church was
expected to reach 60,000 by the end of 2011 as the church would host
another religious ceremony.
Akdamar Church was built by Architect Bishop Manuel between 915-921
A.D. under the supervision of King Gagik I.
The name given to the island, Aght'amar, is explained by a well-known
legend among the local population: A nobleman who fell in love with a
beautiful girl named Tamar visited the island every night to see her.
As he was crossing the lake one stormy night, his boat capsized and
fighting the waves, he drowned uttering the words `Ach Tamar'. Tamar,
awaiting the arrival of her loved one, grieved deeply upon hearing the
news of his death and died soon after. Hence, the island was called
`Ach Tamar' (Aght'amar/Akdamar) ever since.
The church remained as part of a monastic complex until the beginning
of the 20th century. It was abandoned during World War I due to
fighting along the Russian border and was left in a bad condition for
many years.
Turkish authorities restored the church between 2005 and 2007 and
opened it as a museum.
Upon a proposal by the Van Governor's Office and approval of the
Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministry, authorities later decided that
Akdamar Church shall host a religious service once a year.
Sept 10 2011
Historical Armenian church hosts service
Sunday, September 11, 2011
VAN- Anatolia News Agency
A historical Armenian church located on Akdamar Island in Lake Van
hosted on Sunday the second religious ceremony since its renovation in
2007.
The ceremony at the Akdamar Church was led by Turkish Armenian
Patriarchate's Archbishop Aram AteÅ?yan.
Speaking at the ceremony, AteÅ?yan said their wishes were for
tranquility in the country and brotherhood between all societies and
humans.
Around 3,000 people were in attendance.
Income received from the sale of candles at the church will be sent to
famine-stricken Somalia.
Akdamar Church opened to worshippers for a single day and hosted a
religious ceremony for the first time after 95 years in September
2010.
The church attracted nearly 30,000 tourists in 2010 and has received
even more visitors in the first seven months of this year, tourism
officials told AA.
Officials said the number of tourists visiting the Akdamar Church was
expected to reach 60,000 by the end of 2011 as the church would host
another religious ceremony.
Akdamar Church was built by Architect Bishop Manuel between 915-921
A.D. under the supervision of King Gagik I.
The name given to the island, Aght'amar, is explained by a well-known
legend among the local population: A nobleman who fell in love with a
beautiful girl named Tamar visited the island every night to see her.
As he was crossing the lake one stormy night, his boat capsized and
fighting the waves, he drowned uttering the words `Ach Tamar'. Tamar,
awaiting the arrival of her loved one, grieved deeply upon hearing the
news of his death and died soon after. Hence, the island was called
`Ach Tamar' (Aght'amar/Akdamar) ever since.
The church remained as part of a monastic complex until the beginning
of the 20th century. It was abandoned during World War I due to
fighting along the Russian border and was left in a bad condition for
many years.
Turkish authorities restored the church between 2005 and 2007 and
opened it as a museum.
Upon a proposal by the Van Governor's Office and approval of the
Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministry, authorities later decided that
Akdamar Church shall host a religious service once a year.